The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation now contains 209 substances.

Helsinki, 25 June 2020 ECHA – The four candidate substances includes an endocrine-disrupting substance, that is used in consumer products, such as cosmetics. The three others are used in industrial processes to produce polymers, coating products and plastics, respectively.

See here the full details of the added substances.

Companies are urged to check their legal obligations relating to the safe use of their substance. From January 2021, companies will also have to notify products containing SVHCs to ECHA’s upcoming SCIP database on substances of concern in articles and products. The database aims to ensure transparent information on articles containing hazardous chemicals throughout their whole life-cycle.

Background

The Candidate List includes substances of very high concern that may have serious effects on our health or environment. These may be placed on the Authorisation List in the future, which means that industry would need to apply for permission to continue using them.

Companies may have legal obligations when their substance is included in the Candidate List – either on its own, in mixtures or in articles. Any supplier of articles containing a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1 % weight by weight has to give sufficient information to their customers and consumers to allow safe use. As of January 2021, companies will also need to notify ECHA’s SCIP database if their articles contain Candidate List substances.

Importers and producers of articles containing a Candidate List substance also have six months from the date of its inclusion in the list (25 June 2020) to notify ECHA.

(Original text by ECHA)