Rolls-Royce submits first ever request for REACH authorisation

The first authorisation request under annex XIV of the EU REACH chemicals regulation has been filed by UK firm Rolls-Royce, with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launching a public consultation on the application on 14 August.

The request is for authorisation to continue using diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) after 21 February 2015 when its unauthorised use in the EU will be banned along with two other phthalates.

DEHP is contained in a mixture called Stopyt-62A used by Rolls-Royce in the manufacture of titanium aero-engine fan blades during a process known as diffusion bonding, a technique that joins metals together.