On May 8, 2026, the European Union submitted a formal notification (G/TBT/N/EU/1205) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, proposing to amend Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation to restrict hydrogenated terphenyls (PHT). The draft is currently in the WTO member comment period, with the deadline for public comments set for July 7, 2026.
Key Restriction Provisions
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Controlled Substance |
Hydrogenated terphenyls (CAS No: 61788-32-7, EC No: 262-967-7) |
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Restriction Scope |
Prohibition on the use or placing on the market, whether as a substance on its own, or present in other substances, mixtures, or articles at a concentration ≥0.1% w/w |
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Effective Date |
Formal implementation 18 months after the regulation enters into force |
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Civil Aviation Exception |
The restriction will apply 10 years after the regulation enters into force |
Exemptions
- Industrial Heat Transfer Systems: Use as heat transfer fluids within the temperature range of 250°C–350°C, provided that Strictly Controlled Closed System (SCCS) conditions are met
- Defense Applications: Fully exempted
- Transitional Protection:
- Civil aircraft placed on the market before 10 years prior to the regulation's entry into force may continue to be used
- Mixtures and articles placed on the market before 18 months prior to the regulation's entry into force may continue to be used
Implementation Timeline
The European Commission plans to formally adopt the amended regulation in the fourth quarter of 2026. Once published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ), the regulation will enter into force 20 days later. Taking into account the 18-month implementation buffer, full compliance is expected to be required around the first half of 2028.
