Rubber & Plastics News reports that the European Commission’s SafeRubber research project plans to phase out a rubber accelerator — ethylene thiourea, or ETU — used primarily in the processing of polycholorprene rubber. The product has been used for more than 80 years but is likely to be restricted in the future under REACH regulations as it is classed toxic to reproduction. The Saferubber research project has been working on the development of a safer alternative to ETU since June 2010.
According to R&P News, the EC recently contracted a consultant to collect relevant information on the presence in articles of a list of CMR 1A and CMR 1B substances, which include ETU, and on the availability of alternatives.