Fatty acids, C18-24, zinc salts

Hydrolysis

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is readily biodegradable

Description of key information

Fatty acids, like fatty acids C18-24 are lacking hydrolysable functional groups and thus not expected to be hydrolysable, which has been experimentally confirmed in an OECD 111 test over the pH-range 4-9 with docosanoic acid (C22 fatty acid) as reported in the OECD SIDS documents on docosanoic acids (2001).

However, the hydrolytic stability of fatty acids is not relevant in respect of their environmental fate and toxicity, as fatty acids are generally considered to be readily biodegradable as stated in the OECD SIDS document on the Aliphatic acids category (2014): "Biodegradation studies or model estimations for single and multi-component aliphatic acids generally confirm that the extent of biodegradation observed in 28 days meets the ready biodegradability criterion (>60%). ... The aliphatic acids also undergo biodegradation under anaerobic conditions." and generally not considered to represent a risk to the environment, which is reflected in their exemption from the obligation to register (Annex V, Section 9 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2008).

Reference

OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report Docosanoic acid (2001), 13th SIAM, Bern, Switzerland, November 6 - 9.

OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report Aliphatic acids category (2014), CoCAM 6, Paris, France, September 30 - October 3.