New Substances Added to EU’s Candidate List of SVHC

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently updated its Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC), which now contains 247 entries. These chemicals are considered harmful to human health and/or the environment. The update, announced on January 21, 2025, includes several substances with various hazardous properties, such as persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity, and endocrine-disrupting effects.

New Additions to the Candidate List:

1. Octamethyltrisiloxane and Perfluamine:

o These substances are both very persistent and very bioaccumulative.
o They are used in washing and cleaning products and in the manufacture of electrical, electronic, and optical equipment.
o Due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulative nature, they are flagged as potential environmental hazards.

2. O,O,O-Triphenyl Phosphorothioate:

o This substance has persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) properties.
o It is used in lubricants and greases.
o It has been identified as an SVHC to prevent regrettable substitution, meaning that companies should seek alternatives to avoid using harmful chemicals in the future.

3. The Reaction Mass of Triphenylthiophosphate and Tertiary Butylated Phenyl Derivatives:

o Although not registered under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals), this substance has been identified as an SVHC due to its PBT properties.
o It is used in lubricants and greases.

4. 6-[(C10-C13)-Alkyl-(Branched, Unsaturated)-2,5-Dioxopyrrolidin-1-Yl]Hexanoic Acid:

o This substance is toxic for reproduction.
o It is used in lubricants, greases, and metal working fluids.

5. Tris(4-Nonylphenyl, Branched and Linear) Phosphite:

o This substance has endocrine-disrupting properties, affecting the environment.
o It is used in polymers, adhesives, sealants, and coatings.
o The entry for this substance has been updated to reflect its endocrine-disrupting effects on the environment, especially when it contains ≥ 0.1% w/w of 4-nonylphenol, a related compound.

Implications for Companies:

• Risk Management: Companies are responsible for managing the risks associated with these substances. This includes ensuring that these chemicals are safely used and providing customers and consumers with the necessary information on their safe use.
• Potential for Authorisation: These newly added substances may eventually be placed on the Authorisation List under REACH. Once on this list, companies will not be able to use these substances without obtaining authorisation from the European Commission. The authorisation process is designed to ensure that any continued use of these chemicals is justified and does not pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment.

What Companies Should Do:

• Compliance: Companies that manufacture, import, or use chemicals listed on the Candidate List need to be aware of their obligations under REACH, including providing detailed information on these chemicals to consumers, and ensuring safe handling and use.
• Alternative Sourcing: Given the potential for chemicals on the Candidate List to eventually be restricted, companies may want to consider finding safer alternatives or modifying their processes to reduce reliance on these substances.