On 17 January 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added four substances of very high concern (SVHC) to the candidate list for authorisation.
The candidate list for authorisation now contains 223 chemical substances
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 Very High Concern (SVHC) and are candidates for eventual inclusion in the Authorisation list. Once they are on the Authorisation List, a company has to apply for permission to continue using the substance after the deadline.
The inclusion of a substance on the candidate list has important consequences for its users. For example, a communication obligation (Article 33 of REACH) applies as soon as such a substance is present in an article (such as clothing or furniture) in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w). This communication obligation is immediately applicable.
Since 5 January 2021, companies must also notify their products containing substances of very high concern in the SCIP database on substances of very high concern in articles. The aim of this database is to ensure transparent information throughout the life cycle of products containing hazardous chemicals.