MALMÖ, Sweden — A study executed at the request of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports that 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) has shown no adverse effects regarding reproduction at the highest dose tested. Because of earlier suspicions on reproductive toxicity, ECHA had 2-EHA listed in the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) as CMR (reproductive toxicity - fertility) and potential neurodevelopmental toxicity. This listing has now been removed: 2-EHA is no longer under consideration for additional classification and labeling. The product is considered safe with risk mitigation measures in place.

The reason for this listing was the suspected toxicity on fertility, as well as wide dispersive use, potential consumer use and high aggregated tonnage level. These concerns were based on the results of non-guideline and non-GLP studies. To be able to assess the potential hazard of 2-EHA, an additional reproductive toxicity study was performed on rats. The outcome of this study did not indicate any adverse effects regarding reproduction at the highest dose tested.