A closer look into ECHA’s latest REACH SVHC additions
On Jan 17th, 2023, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently added nine new substances to their list of substances of very high concern (SVHC). In addition to the newly added substances, the SVHC list now totals 233 substances, up from 224 currently. REACH has added these substances to the SVHC list based on the previous public consultation, which considered persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Using these criteria, chemicals may be identified as posing significant risks to human health and the environment and therefore may require further regulation. Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to Reproduction (CMR) category 1 or 2 as per the directive 67/548/EEC Persistent, Bio accumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bio accumulative (vPvB) as per Annex XIII of REACH Any substance evaluated causing serious effects on human health or the environment The additions list includes the following nine substances: Substance Name: 4,4′-sulphonyldiphenol (bisphenol S; BPS)CAS number: 80-09-1Reason for proposal: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c); Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – environment); Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health).Used in: Manufacture of pulp, textile, leather or fur, paper products etc. Substance Name: Perfluoro heptanoic acid and its saltsCAS number: Group compounds hence not applicableReason for proposal: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c); PBT (Article 57d); vPvB (Article 57e); Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to human health (Article 57(f) – human health); Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57(f) – environment).Used in: stain-resistant fabrics, paper food packaging, and carpets Substance Name: MelamineCAS number: 108-78-1Reason for proposal: Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to human health (Article 57(f) – human health); Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57(f) – environment)Used in: spolymers and resins, Coating products, Adhesives and sealants, lab chemicals. Substance Name: 1,1′-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene]CAS number: 37853-59-1Reason for proposal: vPvB (Article 57e)Used in: used as a flame retardant for many thermoplastic. Substance Name: 2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromo-4,4′-isopropylidenediphenolCAS number: 79-94-7Reason for proposal: Carcinogenic (Article 57a)Used in: reactive flame retardant and as an additive flame retardant in the manufacture of polymer resins, in products such as epoxy coated circuit boards, printed circuit boards and paper and textiles. Substance Name: Barium diboron tetraoxideCAS number: 13701-59-2Reason for proposal: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)Used in: paints and coatings. Substance Name: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereofCAS number: Group of compounds hence not applicableReason for proposal: vPvB (Article 57e)Used in: flame retardant, plasticizer for flexible polyvinylchloride, wire and cable insulation, carpet backing, coated fabrics etc. Substance Name: Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoateCAS number: 4247-02-3Reason for proposal: Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health)Used in: coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, inks and toners etc. Substance Name: reaction mass of 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl) morpholine and 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(heptafluoropropyl) morpholineCAS number: Group of compounds hence not applicableReason for proposal: vPvB (Article 57e)Used in: in formulation or re-packing at industrial sites and in manufacturing etc. As a whole, the addition of these nine chemicals to the REACH SVHC list is a positive step towards improving the safety of everyday products that contain chemicals. These changes require companies to be aware of the regulations and take the necessary steps to comply. With ComplianceXL, companies can easily comply with the REACH Regulation and manage compliance documentation with ease.
ECHA Updated the SVHC list for REACH Regulation
On July 8th 2021, ECHA updated the REACH SVHC to 219, by adding 8 hazardous substances into the current 211 SVHC list. ECHA published updates EU REACH SVHC Candidate List twice a year by European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). In this new update, ECHA has included substances used in cosmetics, scented products, rubber, textiles, and some of them are used as solvents, flame retardants or to manufacture plastics products. These substances listed as SVHC are hazardous to human health and are toxic for reproduction, carcinogenic, respiratory sensitizers, or endocrine disruptors. Organizations are entitled to follow legal obligations and have to notify ECHA under REACH Regulation about the usage of these substances in their products. Here is the list of newly added 8 chemicals: 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers : Added to the list because, its toxic to reproduction. Used in Polishes, cleaning agent, scented products, and cosmetics Orthoboric acid, sodium salt (CAS -13840-56-7): Added to the list because, its toxic to reproduction and can be found as a solvent in corrosion and inhibitor. 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol (BMP); 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol, tribromo derivative/3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1-propanol (TBNPA); 2,3-dibromo-1-propanol (2,3-DBPA): Added to the list because it is carcinogenic. 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane1,3-diol (BMP) (CAS – 3296-90-0)- seen while manufacturing of polymer resin and in component 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol, tribromo derivative (CAS – 36483-57-5)/3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1-propanol (TBNPA) (CAS- 1522-92-5) -Used in polymer production manufacture of plastics products. 2,3-dibromo-1-propanol (2,3-DBPA) (CAAS -96-13-9) – Now registered as an intermediate. Glutaral (CAS -111-30-8): Added due to Respiratory sensitizing properties. Used in cosmetics, biocides, leather tanning, and x-ray film processing. Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCP) UVCB substances consisting of more than or equal to 80% linear chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths within the range from C14 to C17 – Added due to PBT. Used Flame retardants, plasticizing additives in plastics, sealants, rubber, and textiles. Phenol, alkylation products (mainly in para position) with C12-rich branched alkyl chains from oligomerization, covering any individual isomers and/ or combinations thereof (PDDP) – Added due to reproduction toxicity, Endocrine disrupting properties. Used in the preparation of lubricant additive materials and of fuel system cleaners. 1,4-dioxane (CAS 123-91-1) – Added due to carcinogenic. Used in solvents. 4,4′-(1-methylpropylidene)bisphenol (CAS 77-40-7) – May be used in manufacture of phenolic and polycarbonate resin. Talk to one of our REACH Compliance Specialists today to learn how this update will affect you and what you need to do in order to comply with the REACH Regulation!
Alert EU REACH SVHC List updated – ECHA adds 4 new substances
On 5 January 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced 4 new additions to the REACH candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) having below properties Carcinogenic Mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances The inclusion of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts was decided with the Involvement of the Member State Committee (MSC). The PFBS and its salts were added due to its Equivalent level of concern, having probable serious effects on human health and to the environment as per Article 57(f) (human health and environment). With this addition, the The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation now contains 205 substances. The new substances included in the Candidate List are: Diisohexyl phthalate: CAS# 71850-09-4 – Diisohexyl phthalate is added because of Its reproductive toxicity as per Article 57(c). 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4′-morpholinobutyrophenone: CAS#119313-12-1 – This substance is also toxic for reproduction as per Article 57(c) and is used in in polymer production. 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one: -CAS# 71868-10-5 – This substance used in polymer production is included because it has reproductive toxicity property as per Article 57(c). Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts: It’s added because of its serious effects on the Environment as well as human health, as per article 57(f). It’s used as a catalyst/additive/reactant in polymer manufacturing and the synthesis of chemicals. It’s also used as a flame retardant in polycarbonate for electronic equipment. Manufacturers producing or selling products containing these substances in the EU must disclose the presence of SVHCs above 0.1% (w/w) within six months of the latest update on January 16, 2020. The SVHC list get updated frequently with inputs from the Member State Committee. All manufacturers/suppliers should keep a track of the SVHC list to stay compliant and avoid business continuity risks. Do you want to know whether you are compliant to the latest Update? Talk to our Compliance Experts today! Write us at [email protected].