Resorcinol vote at the REACH Committee meeting of 22-23 September: support the adequate SVHC identification of this known endocrine disruptor for health

Civil society organisations are calling on the Finnish government to support the classification of Resorcinol as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under the REACH regulation. The authors argue that Resorcinol is a known endocrine disruptor that inhibits thyroperoxidase (TPO), affecting thyroid hormone levels essential for brain development. They highlight that the substance is used in high volumes (1,000-10,000 tons/annum) across various industrial and consumer products, posing risks to workers and the public. The letter asserts that Resorcinol meets the 'equivalent level of concern' (ELoC) criteria due to the severity and irreversibility of its developmental effects, such as hypothyroidism and neurological impacts in children.

• Resorcinol is identified as an endocrine disruptor that inhibits thyroperoxidase (TPO), an enzyme critical for thyroid hormone synthesis, which can lead to severe developmental issues in humans, including goiter, hypothyroidism, and neurological impacts in children.
• The substance is produced in high volumes, registered at 1,000-10,000 tons per year, and is used in a wide range of applications including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hygiene products, adhesives, resins, flame retardants, and rubber products.
• The authors argue that Resorcinol meets the 'equivalent level of concern' (ELoC) criteria under REACH article 57(f) because its effects on prenatal brain development are serious, long-term, and irreversible.
• The document contends that the minority opinion opposing the SVHC identification incorrectly focuses on exposure and metabolism rather than the intrinsic hazard properties of the substance, which should be the sole basis for SVHC listing according to the European Court of Justice.

APA

Jensen, G. K. (2021). Resorcinol vote at the REACH Committee meeting of 22-23 September: support the adequate SVHC identification of this known endocrine disruptor for health. ClientEarth. https://www.clientearth.org/media/zcxhd4ie/resorc_1.pdf

Chicago

Jensen, Genon K. Resorcinol vote at the REACH Committee meeting of 22-23 September: support the adequate SVHC identification of this known endocrine disruptor for health. ClientEarth, 2021. https://www.clientearth.org/media/zcxhd4ie/resorc_1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Jensen |first1=Genon K. |title=Resorcinol vote at the REACH Committee meeting of 22-23 September: support the adequate SVHC identification of this known endocrine disruptor for health |publisher=ClientEarth |date=6 September 2021 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/zcxhd4ie/resorc_1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{jensen2021resorcinol, author = {Jensen, Genon K.}, title = {{Resorcinol vote at the REACH Committee meeting of 22-23 September: support the adequate SVHC identification of this known endocrine disruptor for health}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/zcxhd4ie/resorc_1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }