Europe. ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) has added eight new SVHCs (Identification of Substances of Very High Concern) to the Candidate List following the SVHC identification process with the participation of the Member State Committee (MSC).
Two other substances have also been added to the list, TMA (Used in the manufacture of esters and polymers) and DCHP (Dicyclohexyl Phthalate - Used in plastisol, PVC, rubber and plastic articles. Another use is also as a phlemer and dispersing agent for organic peroxide formulations), which have been identified as SVHCs by the European Commission due to their respiratory sensitization and toxic properties for reproduction and endocrine disrupting properties, respectively. The Commission's decision follows the submission of CSM views on these SVHC proposals in 2016.
The candidate list is a list of substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment. Substances on the Candidate List are also known as substances of major concern and are candidates for eventual inclusion on the Authorisation List. Once they are on the Authorization List, the industry will need to apply for permission to continue using the substance after the expiration date.
Companies may have legal obligations arising from the inclusion of the substance in the Candidate List. These obligations may apply to the listed substance alone, in the form of mixtures or in articles. In particular, any supplier of articles containing a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1% (weight by weight) has communication obligations with supply chain customers and consumers.
In addition, importers and producers of articles containing the substance have six months from the date of their inclusion in the Candidate List (27 June 2018) to notify ECHA.
Get to know the full list of substances by clicking here.
