EU Adds DMAC and NEP to REACH Restriction List — Limited Impact on Standard PET Applications

Background

DMAC and NEP are widely used dipolar aprotic solvents in the chemical industry, particularly in the processing of synthetic fibers, coatings, adhesives, and high-performance polymers. Due to increasing concern over occupational exposure, the Netherlands submitted a restriction proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which concluded that further harmonized EU-level action was necessary.

Summary of Restrictions

Entry 80: N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAC)

• EC Number: 204-826-4
• CAS Number: 127-19-5

Effective from December 23, 2026, DMAC may not be placed on the market or used as a substance, in other substances, or in mixtures at concentrations ≥0.3%, unless:

1. The supplier includes Derived No-Effect Levels (DNELs) in the chemical safety report (CSR) and SDS:

• Inhalation DNEL: 13 mg/m³
• Dermal DNEL: 1.8 mg/kg bw/day

2. Appropriate risk management measures (RMMs) and operational conditions are implemented to keep worker exposure below these DNELs.

3. For use as a solvent in the production of man-made fibers, these obligations are deferred until June 23, 2029.

Entry 81: 1-Ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP)

• EC Number: 220-250-6
• CAS Number: 2687-91-4

Similar restrictions apply, with DNELs set at:

• Inhalation: 4.0 mg/m³
• Dermal: 2.4 mg/kg bw/day

Relevance to the PET Industry

While DMAC and NEP are critical solvents in many engineering plastics and synthetic fiber applications, it is important to note that they are not typically used in the production of standard PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resins or packaging materials.

Standard bottle-grade PET resins, polyester films, and food packaging containers are typically produced via melt-phase and solid-state polymerization processes that do not involve these solvents. Therefore, for most PET resin manufacturers and converters, this new restriction is not expected to have direct operational impact.

However, for PET-based materials involving advanced coatings, surface treatments, or multilayer composites—where adhesive formulations or barrier technologies may use these solvents—manufacturers should re-evaluate chemical inventories and ensure REACH compliance.

Compliance Advisory

While the new restrictions primarily affect producers of polyamides, polyurethanes, and solvent-based systems, all industry players are advised to:

1. Review product formulations and raw material sourcing
2. Update SDSs with proper DNELs where applicable
3. Plan substitution strategies for solvent systems where needed

For the PET packaging industry, the direct impact is minimal, but monitoring regulatory trends and potential overlap with future coating or specialty PET applications remains essential.