Document 6Bb3Eq7v1NpjjqVNXX82d3Be1

19 April 2021 Examples of the use of patent information in different REACH processes Restriction Often a lot is already known about possible alternatives at the dossier preparation phase from calls for evidence, stakeholder workshops, other REACH processes, etc. These various information sources might contain information derived from patent information but this is often difficult to discern as such when fed into the process in a more condensed form. Lead and its compounds in jewellery: In 2018, ECHA produced an investigation report in the context of the Commissions review of entry 63 of Annex XVII. Part of the work was to look into the availability of alternatives for the materials exempted in paragraph 4 of the lead in jewellery restriction (i.e. crystal glass). Patent information featured in the report as arguments in favour of the existence of alternatives (pp. 9-11 and p.34) Some Annex XV restriction reports contain a few references to patents, e.g. NMP or Bisphenol A, for individual uses or alternatives rather than a systematic investigation into the patent literature. Applications for authorisation Often applicants look into patents to identify potential alternatives, e.g.: o 1,2-Dichloroethane: Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft o 1,2-Dichloroethane: Dow Italia Srl o 4-tert-OPnEO: BioMarin International Ltd o 4-tert-OPnEO: Boehringer o Chromium trioxide: Rimex Metals (UK) Ltd o Dibutyl phthalate: Deza o Sodium chromate: Ariston Thermo SpA o Sodium dichromate: AkzoNobel Pulp and Performance Chemicals o Sodium dichromate: H&R lwerke Schindler GmbH o Sodium dichromate: Jacobs Douwe Egberts DE GmbH o TCE: Spolana In February 2020, the European Commission added 11 substances to the Authorisation List. ECHA carried out market research to explore the likely number of applications for authorisation that might be received for these substances in the future. Patent searches were part of the work. SVHC identification Annex XV dossiers on proposals for identification of a substance as SVHC have used patent information to identify (potential) uses of the substances, e.g.: Cadmium fluoride Diisopentylphthalate (DIPP) Methoxyacetic acid (MAA) 2,2-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylpentan