Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 205-500-4 | CAS number: 141-78-6
Biodegradation in water: screening tests
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Freshwater ready biodegradation studies:
69% (20d, DOC)
94% (28d, CO2)
79% (20d, BOD)
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Biodegradation in water:
- readily biodegradable
Additional information
The biodegradation of ethyl acetate was assessed at a number of concentrations using a non-adapted domestic sewage innoculum in a freshwater medium. Rapid degradation was observed. Based on the results of this study, it meets the criteria to be classified as readily biodegradable. Biodegradation was also assessed using an innoculum prepared from natural salt water and boosted with non-adapted domestic sewage innoculum in an artificial salt water medium. Degradation to a level of 60% over the 20 day experimental period was observed and degradation of 47% reached within 5 days. From this study it was concluded that this substance was readily biodegradable in artificial seawater but did not meet the 10 day window.
The ready biodegradability of ethyl acetate is supported by other studies. A well reported study established that 93.9% biodegradation of ethyl acetate occurs after 28 days in an assay described as essentially the same as the Sturm CO2 Production Test described in OECD Guidelines and suitable for volatile substances as it uses a sealed system. The study showed >90% biodegradation after 8 days indicating ready biodegradability. Another study reported 68% biodegradation of ethyl acetate after 5 days, and 79% biodegradation after 20 days by raw wastewater using a modified BOD test.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
