ICCA Expands Plastic Additives Database to Advance Transparency and Strengthen Global Chemicals Management

The updated database now confirms approximately 4,500 plastic additives currently in commerce, with 94.5% listed on at least one major regulatory inventory and 90% supported by readily available toxicological data for risk assessment. These findings counter claims of extensive data gaps in the plastics additives sector.

Plastic additives—used to improve durability, flexibility, and resistance to heat, UV, and other environmental stressors—play a vital role in extending product lifespan and reducing waste.

Built on the United Nations Environment Programme’s Chemicals in Plastics Report and verified through collaboration with global manufacturers, the ICCA database now contains information on nearly 13,400 chemicals linked to plastics, though fewer are currently in active use. The platform integrates risk assessment data from regulatory authorities worldwide, including U.S. TSCA, EU REACH, and Australia’s AICIS, enabling users to identify additives, understand their functions, and access critical regulatory insights.

“With these updates, ICCA’s Plastic Additives Database is the most comprehensive international resource of its kind,” said Marco Mensink, ICCA Council Secretary and Cefic Director General. “By sharing this information, we support capacity building and informed chemicals management globally.”

The database is designed to assist governments—particularly those without established regulatory frameworks—by providing centralized, quality-checked data to guide science-based policy decisions. It also serves as a trusted source for researchers, NGOs, and industry stakeholders.

As discussions continue under the global plastics agreement (INC-5.2), ICCA’s tool supports alignment with existing national and international regulations, contributing to the goals of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) by ensuring comprehensive, accessible, and science-based information for decision-making.

Reference: ICCA – Plastic Additives Database Update