[Environment] UV-328 UV absorber

Recently, we often heard and asked about UV-328 ultraviolet absorber in the surface treatment industry, but we know little about what it is and what effects it will have. Let us introduce it here.

UV-328 ultraviolet absorber CAS NO.25973-55-1 (hereinafter referred to as 328) is used to prevent products from discoloring and degrading after being exposed to sunlight. It is generally used in polarized lenses, paints, plastic products and chemical pigments. Recently, in the surface treatment industry, anodizing, plastic injection and coating related processes have been included in the investigation list because the surface will be colored, so there will be concerns about the use of UV-328.

Related bans

• On May 5, 2023, at the Conference of the Parties (COP) held in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations agreed to ban the use of UV absorber 328 (UV-328).
• On July 30, 2024, the European Commission announced the draft EU POPs Regulation, proposing to regulate the use of UV-328 and the placing on the market of products containing UV-328.

Specific product exemptions

There are also announcements in related products that are still set as specific exemptions under certain conditions; as shown below:

• Substances, mixtures or finished products with a concentration of UV-328 equal to or less than 1 mg/kg (0.0001% (by weight)).
• Blood collection mechanical separators - before 2030/2/26
• Triacetyl cellulose film - before 2030/2/26
• Land motor vehicles - before 2030/2/26
• Photosensitive paper - before 2030/2/26
• Related vehicles, agricultural and forestry machinery, etc.

Harm to the human body

328 may have an impact on the body, for example, it may cause severe liver toxicity and have an adverse effect on the sexual differentiation of animals. It can also bind to proteins in the blood, accumulate in the human body and affect biological functions.

Summarize

Although the use of UV-328 ultraviolet absorber has been clearly limited and exempted, the requirements will be more stringent in the future as the regulations become increasingly stringent. Only by not using it can this problem be completely solved; only by paying attention to industry trends can the product be delivered to consumers more safely.