Approach for evaluation of PBTs subject to authorisation and restriction procedures in context of socio-economic analysis : final report

Environmental and health impacts of PBT/vPvB substances depend on expected environmental exposure concentrations, i.e. the stock. Due to persistence, environmental exposure concentrations cannot adequately be described by pointing at current emissions or release only since the previously released PBT/vPvB substances persist to the current period. As a consequence, even if emissions cease, PBT/vPvB substances remain in the environment but decay over time. Hence, the regulatory concern of PBT/vPvB substances goes beyond the concern pertaining to non-persistent SVHCs. In brief, it is suggested that an evaluation of PBT/vPvB substances subject to authorisation and restriction procedures under REACH is based on a stock pollution approach.