The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has completed its Assessment of Regulatory Needs for inorganic carboxylates, concluding that no further regulatory risk management (RRM) measures are required at the EU level. Published on 6 February 2025, the report evaluates 76 substances, including acetic acid, citric acid, and propionic acid. Manufacturers and value chain partners can expect continued use of these widely applied chemicals without additional compliance burdens.
Key Findings: Low Hazard Profile and High Biodegradability
ECHA’s assessment found no evidence of carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic (CMR), endocrine-disrupting (ED), persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT), or persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) properties in these substances. Most inorganic carboxylates are readily biodegradable and do not bioaccumulate, minimising environmental concerns.
However, four zinc-based salts—including zinc di(acetate) (CAS 557-34-6) and trizinc dicitrate (CAS 546-46-3)—were self-classified for aquatic toxicity. These substances require risk management measures (RMM) at the company level rather than additional EU-wide regulations.
Widespread Industrial and Consumer Use
Key Applications Across Sectors
Inorganic carboxylates are essential across multiple industries, including:
- Cleaning products (e.g., acetic acid in disinfectants)
- Cosmetics and personal care (e.g., citric acid as a pH regulator)
- Food and feed additives (e.g., propionic acid as a preservative)
- Pharmaceuticals (e.g., tartaric acid as an excipient)
- Water treatment (e.g., formic acid in descaling agents)
ECHA noted that 56 out of 63 fully registered substances are used by both professionals and consumers, posing potential exposure risks. However, due to their favourable hazard profiles, no additional risk management actions are required beyond existing classifications.
What This Means for Manufacturers and Suppliers
The absence of new restrictions offers regulatory stability for manufacturers, suppliers, and downstream users. Companies can continue current production and formulation processes without disruption. However, businesses dealing with zinc-based inorganic carboxylates should ensure compliance with self-imposed environmental safety measures.
