Chemical name: Phenol, pentachloro-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

1.Shall not be used in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1% by mass in substances or preparations placed on the market.

2.Transitional provisions: By way of derogation until 31 December 2008 France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom may choose not to apply this provision to substances and preparations intended for use in industrial installations not permitting the emission and/or discharge of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in quantities greater than those prescribed by existing legislation:

(a)in the treatment of wood. However, treated wood shall not be used:

- inside buildings whether for decorative purposes or not, whatever their purpose (residence, employment, leisure)

- for the manufacture and retreatment of:

(i) containers intended for growing purposes

(ii) packaging that may come into contact with raw materials, intermediate or finished products detsined for human and/or animal consumption

(iii) other materials that may contaminate the products mentioned in (i) and (ii) above.

(b)in the impregnation of fibres and heavy-duty textiles not intended in any case for clothing or for decorative furnishing.

(c)by way of special exception, Member States may on a case-by-case basis, permit on their territory specialised professionals to carry out in situ and for buildings of cultural, artistic and historical interest, or in emergencies, a remedial treatment of timber and masonry infected by dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) and cubic rot fungi.

In any case,

(a)Pentachlorophenol used alone or as a combination of preparations employed within the framework of the above exceptions must have a total hexachlorodibenzoparadioxin (HCDD) content of not more than two parts per million (ppm);

(b)these substances and preparations shall not:

- be placed on the market except in packages of 20 litres or more

- be sold to the general public.

3.Without prejudice to the implementation of other EU provisions concerning the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and preparations, the packaging of substances and preparations covered by paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be marked clearly and indelibly: "Reserved for industrial and professional use."

This provision shall not apply to waste covered by Directives 75/442/EEC and 01/698/EEC.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

All other uses not listed above.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Shall not be used in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1% by mass in substances or preparations placed on the market. Certain exceptions apply.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Chlorophenols are iritating to the skin, respiratory system and eyes. Pentachlorophenol is clastogenic in man. Pentachlorophenol is a suspected carcinogen. Symptoms of acute poisoning: lethargy and changes of the breath, the blood pressure and the urine. May give cramps. Causes skin rashes after skin contact and it s taken up through intact skin. Chronic exposure may give liver and kidney damage.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. The substance may cause long-term effects in the aquatic environment. This substance does enter the environment under normal use. Great care, however, should be given to avoid any additional release, eg through inappropriate disposal.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/01/2001