Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex IX, 9.2.1.2 and 9.2.1.4, column 2 simulation testing in surface water and sediments does not need to be conducted if the substance is highly insoluble in water and if direct or indirect exposure to sediment is unlikely.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

According to the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) Annex IX, 9.2.1.2, column 2 simulation testing in surface water is not required if the test substance is highly insoluble in water. As the water solubility of the Fatty acids, C16 -18 and C18-unsaturated, dimerized (CAS No. 71808-39-4) is < 0.41 mg/L, i.e. the limit of detection, a study does not need to be conducted for this particular endpoint.

As Fatty acids, C16 -18 and C18-unsaturated, dimerized (CAS No. 71808-39-4) has a very low water solubility (< 0.41 mg/L, detection limit) the concentration in water is expected to be low and consequently also the exposure to the aquatic environment, if occurring at all. Due the adsorption potential of the substance (log Koc > 5, log Kow > 4), adsorption to organic carbon in soils and sediments is expected. This adsorption is most likely to occur in the sewage treatment plant (STP) and hence the effluent from the STP to the rivers should, if at all, have insignificant or negligible quantities of the test substance. Thus, due to the very low water solubility of Fatty acids, C16 -18 and C18-unsaturated, dimerized (CAS No. 71808-39-4) sediments are not expected to be the compartment of highest exposure.

According to the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) Annex IX, 9.2.1.4, column 2 a sediment simulation test does not have to be conducted if direct or indirect exposure to sediment is unlikely. Furthermore the “Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment” Chapter R.7b states, that a simulation test will normally not be required for all environmental compartments. Only the compartments of highest exposure and risk should be tested first. As aforementioned, sediments are not expected to be the compartment of highest exposure for Fatty acids, C16 -18 and C18-unsaturated, dimerized (CAS No. 71808-39-4).