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Media Centre >> Knowledge e-news >> Tech Watch: New update to Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)

Tech Watch: New update to Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)

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On 17 January 2023, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) released the new Candidate List of SVHCs. With the addition of 9 new substances, the current list of SVHCs now contains 233 substances.

 

See below a table indicating the latest substances addition:

 

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
(REACH Article 57 e)

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
(Article 57 a)

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
(Article 57 f – human health)

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
(Article 57 c)

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
(Article 57 f – human health)

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);
Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57 f – environment)

In polymers and resins, coating products, adhesives and sealants, leather treatment products, laboratory chemicals.

8

Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts

-

-

Toxic for reproduction
(Article 57 c); Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (Article 57 d);
Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (Article 57 e); Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to human health (Article 57 f – human health);
Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57 f – environment)

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.

 

 

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.

 

Click here to get the official List from ECHA’s website.