Updated in March 2015

Under EU REACH regulation, substances that are one of the following can be regarded as substance of very high concern(SVHC):

• carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMRs);
• persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBTs);
• very persistent and bio-accumulative (vPvBs);
• seriously and / or irreversibly damaging the environment or human health, as substances damaging the hormone system;

SVHC Candidate List 2015

The competent authority or agency of a Member State can suggest the inclusion of a substance with above properties on SVHC candidate list by preparing a dossier. Interested parties are then invited to comment on the substance for which a dossier has been prepared. The resulting outcome of this identification process is the creation of a list of identified substances, which are then deemed candidates for authorization. ( “SVHC candidate list”).  

Some substances from the candidate list will be prioritized for authorization and be included in Annex XIV ("SVHC authorization list"). Those substances on authorization list will not be allowed to be used, placed on the market or imported into the EU after a date to be set unless the company is granted an Authorization.

There are 161 substances on SVHC candidate list (last updated: 10 March 2015). The history of the update of SVHC candidate list is shown in the following table.

Date of Recomm.	Amount	Reference
28/10/2008	15	http://echa.europa.eu/doc/...20080630.pdf
13/01/2010	12(*)	http://echa.europa.eu/doc..._20100113.pdf
30/03/2010	1	http://echa.europa.eu/doc/..._20100330.pdf
18/06/2010	8	http://echa.europa.eu/doc/..._20100618.pdf
15/12/2010	8	http://echa.europa.eu/..._20101215_en.asp
20/06/2011	7	http://echa.europa.eu/..._20110620_en.asp
19/12/2011	20	http://echa.europa.eu/..._20111219_en.asp
18/06/2012	13	http://echa.europa.eu/..._20120618_en.asp
19/12/2012	54	http://echa.europa.eu/..._20121219_en.asp
19/06/2013	6	http://echa.europa.eu/..../20130620_en.asp
16/12/2013	7	http://echa.europa.eu/..../20131216_en.asp
16/06/2014	4	http://echa.europa.eu/..../candidate-list-updated-with-four-new-svhcs
17/12/2014	6	http://echa.europa.eu/..../six-new-substances-
Total	161	Updated on 10 March 2015

 

The full official SVHC candidate list can be found here. This SVHC candidate list is expected to include more substances in the future as Member states suggest more substances for inclusion.

The Impact of SVHC

SVHC have posed new challenges to article suppliers. Here articles suppliers mean non-EU article exporters, EU importers and manufacturers of articles.

Under REACH, an article is defined as an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design, which determines its function to a greater degree that does its chemical composition. e.g. car, clothes, toys, electronics. Thus, the limitation on SVHCs set out in the REACH regulation, has a broad scope, affecting lots of industries.

SVHCs might have been introduced to various consumer products due to the complexities of supply chain and manufacturing process and therefore companies should comply with the requirements of REACH relating to the presence of SVHC in their products and screen their products for SVHCs to ensure that they are safe for their consumers.

More importantly, companies shall monitor the update of SVHC candidate list or authorization list closely. Every time when a SVHC candidate list or authorization list is updated, you shall re-evaluate your products and your obligations under REACH.

SVHC compliance is not just about SVHC testing

Firstly, you need to identify all possible hazardous substances in your products and find out which list they belong to (SVHC candidate list or Restriction list or Authorization list?). You may do so by carrying out SVHC testing by yourself or asking your suppliers to carry out testing.

Then you could adopt the following measures to achieve REACH compliance if a SVHC is present in your products:

• SVHC Notification: Submit notification to European Chemical Agency (ECHA) if any SVHC on candidate list present in an article has a concentration above 0.1% (w/w) and the total amount of the SVHC exceeds 1 tonne per annum per producer or importer. The SVHC candidate list will be regularly updated from time to time.
• Communication Requirement: If any SVHC on candidate list is present in your product with a concentration above 0.1% (w/w), you are obliged to inform the recipients of the article along the supply chain about the chemical name(s) and how the article can be safely used. REACH further requires this information be made available within 45 days upon consumer request.;
• Restriction: Article suppliers not only need to comply with the requirements of SVHC, they also need to comply with the requirements of REACH Restriction. Some candidate SVHCs(for example, anthracene) are also on REACH restricted substances list (XVII of REACH). Involved parties must screen the REACH restriction list for the restriction most relevant to the products and ensure that the presence of restricted substances in products do not exceed threshold limits set by REACH;
• Authorization: Priority SVHCs on candidate list will be included in the Annex XIV of REACH (the "SVHC authorization List"). Those SVHCs will not be allowed to be used, placed on the market or imported into the EU after a date to be set unless the company is granted an authorization.

 

Note 1: ECHA states that in multi-component articles (e.g., a car, a television, etc) the 0.1% w/w limit applies to the average concentration of the entire article as produced or imported and not the individual components. However, some countries have their own interpretations.

Note 2: As more substances are included on SVHC candidate list, it becomes almost impossible to test all SVHCs in one product or one component. Screening before testing becomes very important.

New! SVHC testing is not as expensive as you think. For our latest SVHC test offer, please click here.

Our SVHC Compliance Solutions

CIRS can carry out an assessment for you or your suppliers, in accordance with your specific industry to choose which items need to be tested, thus improving the efficiency of your testing strategy and saving money on unnecessary testing. Finally, we can supply you with a series of tailor-made ’Assessment Reports ‘ to meet you various requirements.

• SVHC Testing and SVHC Assessment Report: Our certified lab provides reliable SVHC testing services and RSL screening services. We help you determine the level of SVHC and any restricted substances in your products and issue svhc assessment report or tailor-made reports to prove that your products are compliant with REACH.
• Notification: Submit notification to European Chemical Agency (ECHA) if any SVHC on candidate list present in an article has a concentration above 0.1% (w/w) and the total amount of the SVHC exceeds 1 tonne per annum per producer or importer.
• Drafting Guidance on Safe Uses or SDS: We draft guidance document on the safe uses or provide SDS for articles containing a SVHC with a concentration above 0.1% (w/w). You can present this document to your consumers should they request it.
• Application of Authorization: We help you apply for authorization from ECHA if it is necessary to use those listed SVHCs in Annex XIV of REACH in your product.

 

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