On 17th January 2023, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) released the new Candidate List of SVHC with Nine substances added which may harm people or the environment. The newly included substances are used for example in flame retardants, paints and coatings, inks and toners, coating products, plasticisers and in the manufacture of pulp and paper.
ECHA releases updates twice per year and the current list of SVHC now contains 233 substances for which companies must comply with their legal obligations under REACH and the European Waste Directive Framework.
The new Candidate List of SVHC
Nº |
Substance name |
EC number |
CAS number |
Reason for inclusion |
Example of use(s) |
1 |
1,1′-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene] |
253-692-3 |
37853-59-1 |
Very persistent and very bioaccumulative |
While the substance itself is not registered under REACH, identification as an SVHC can be seen as a measure to avoid future regrettable substitution. |
2 |
2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromo-4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol |
201-236-9 |
79-94-7 |
Carcinogenic |
As a reactive flame retardant and as an additive flame retardant in the manufacture of polymer resins, in products such as epoxy coated circuit boards, printed circuit boards, paper and textiles. |
3 |
4,4′-sulphonyldiphenol (Bisphenol S) |
201-250-5 |
80-09-1 |
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57 c); Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57 f – environment); Endocrine disrupting properties |
In the manufacture of: pulp, paper and paper products, textile, leather or fur and chemicals. |
4 |
Barium diboron tetraoxide |
237-222-4 |
13701-59-2 |
Toxic for reproduction |
In paints and coatings. |
5 |
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof |
– |
– |
Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (Article 57 e) |
As a flame retardant and as a plasticiser for flexible polyvinylchloride and for use in wire and cable insulation, film and sheeting, carpet backing, coated fabrics, wall coverings and adhesives. |
6 |
Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate |
224-208-8 |
4247-02-3 |
Endocrine disrupting properties |
In the manufacture of substances and in the following products: coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay and inks and toners. |
7 |
Melamine |
203-615-4 |
108-78-1 |
Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to human health (Article 57 f – human health); |
In polymers and resins, coating products, adhesives and sealants, leather treatment products, laboratory chemicals. |
8 |
Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts |
– |
– |
Toxic for reproduction |
While the substance itself is not registered under REACH, identification as an SVHC can be seen as a measure to avoid future regrettable substitution. |
9 |
reaction mass of 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl)morpholine and 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(heptafluoropropyl)morpholine |
473-390-7 |
– |
Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (Article 57 e) |
Used in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing. |
To view the full Candidate List for SVHC visit the ECHA website.
Legal obligations for companies using SVHC substances
Legal obligations for companies using SVHC substances include
- Suppliers provide customers and consumers with enough information to allow for safe use of products that contain a substance of very high concern (SVHC) above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight)
- Importers and producers of these products must notify the ECHA if their article contains SVHC substances above a concentration of 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) and the substance is present in those products in quantities totalling over 1 tonne per producer or per importer per year. The notifications have to be submitted within six months from the date it that the substance is included in the list
- Suppliers of substances on the Candidate List, supplied either on their own or in mixtures, have to provide their customers with a safety data sheet
- Under the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC on waste- WFD), any supplier of an article containing a substance of very high concern (SVHC) in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) on the EU market is required to submit a SCIP Notification on that article to ECHA, as of 5 January 2021. SCIP is the database holding information on Substances of Concern in articles, as such or in complex objects (products), established under the WFD. The SCIP database complements the existing notification obligations for Candidate List substances in articles subject to REACH regulation and its related communication through the supply chain, according to Articles 7 (2) and 33 respectively
Eurofins chemical services for SVHC
Eurofins Sustainability Services offers chemical testing services and solutions for restricted substances lists (RSL) and SVHC testing and management for compliance with global regulations.
Services include
- Chem-STTM hazardous chemical smart testing
- Chem-Map chemical management solutions
- ZDHC MRSL chemical testing
- Chemical management audit
Contact us today to find out how we can help you comply with your large obligations in Europe and beyond.