Industry Update
On September 1, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) initiated a public consultation on three Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). The consultation period will end on October 16, 2025. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments to ECHA before the deadline. ECHA will review the feedback, and substances passing the evaluation will be formally added to the SVHC Candidate List.
The inclusion of these three substances underscores the EU's stringent regulatory stance on chemical safety. As the SVHC list continues to expand, companies face increasing compliance requirements and are advised to proactively investigate their supply chains to adapt to regulatory changes.
Additionally, ECHA conducted an SVHC consultation on Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) from June 27 to August 11, 2025, which is currently under review.
List of Substances under Consultation
With the addition of three new substances, and including the previously consulted substance (DBDPE), there are currently 4 substances under consultation. The list is as follows:
| No. | Substance Name | CAS No. | Reason for Inclusion | Common Uses | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (Decabromodiphenyl ethane, DBDPE) | 84852-53-9 | vPvB (Article 57e) | Used in adhesives, sealants, coatings, fillers, putty, plaster, modeling clay, inks and toners, leather treatment products, lubricants, greases, polishes, waxes, polymers, washing/cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care products. | Public consultation ran from June 27 to August 11, 2025. |
| 2 | n-Hexane | 110-54-3 | Substance of equivalent concern for human health (Article 57(f)) | Used in polishes, waxes, adhesives, sealants, antifreeze products, biocides, coatings, textile treatment products, dyes, cosmetics, and personal care products. | Public consultation started September 1, 2025, ends October 16, 2025. |
| 3 | 4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts | - | Reprotoxic (Article 57c) | Mainly used as a monomer in the synthesis of fluoropolymers, also in dyes, photosensitive materials, and optical brighteners. | Public consultation started September 1, 2025, ends October 16, 2025. |
Corporate Responsibilities Regarding SVHC
ECHA emphasizes that companies must comply with regulatory requirements and fulfill stipulated obligations. If an article contains an SVHC substance in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w), according to the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), companies are required to submit a SCIP notification since January 5, 2021. SCIP notifications are published on the ECHA website.
Under REACH regulations, if an article contains an SVHC substance above 0.1% (w/w) and the total quantity of the substance in articles exceeds 1 ton per year, manufacturers or importers must notify ECHA. Additionally, information transmission obligations apply if the SVHC concentration exceeds 0.1% (w/w).
To date, the SVHC Candidate List contains 250 substances, with 1 pending substance, 4 under consultation, and 1 proposed substance. The SVHC list is updated twice a year. Given its continuous expansion, companies are advised to conduct early supply chain investigations to ensure compliance.
GRGTEST Related Service Capabilities
- REACH-SVHC Candidate List Testing
- REACH Annex XVII Restricted Substances Testing
- REACH Regulation Interpretation and Supply Chain System Training
- Assistance with SCIP Notification
- Support for SVHC Tonnage Notification
- Assistance in Preparing REACH Compliance Statements