Grouping approaches based on structure alone are insufficient to conclude about toxicological properties-the example of monoamine-based chelates.

Abstract

Aminocarboxylic acid (monoamine-based) chelating agents such as GLDA, MGDA, NTA, and EDG are widely used in a variety of products and processes. In the European Union, based on the Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), there is an increasing tendency to speed up chemical hazard evaluation and to regulate chemicals by grouping substances based on molecular structure similarity. Recently, it was proposed to group polycarboxylic acid monoamines, hydroxy derivatives and their salts with monovalent cations, and to consider all group members as potential carcinogens based on the official CLP classification of one group member, viz. NTA, which is classified as suspected carcinogen Cat. 2. In this review, we show that a grouping approach for harmonized classification and labeling based on molecular structure alone, disregarding existing animal test data as well as current scientific and regulatory knowledge, would result in incorrect classification. Using such a simplistic, although considered pragmatic approach, classification of all group members upfront would not improve protection of human health. Instead, it could not only lead to unnecessary additional vertebrate animal testing but also to onerous and disproportionate restrictions being placed on the use of these valuable substances; some of these even being considered as green chemicals.