On June 27, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of one new substance to the EU REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List. The Candidate List now contains 241 entries for chemicals that can potentially harm human health or the environment.

The newly added substance is:

This chemical is used as a processing aid, particularly as a flame retardant. Its inclusion on the Candidate List means that companies using this substance may have new legal obligations.

Key points to note:

1. Suppliers must inform customers if their products contain more than 0.1% (weight by weight) of this substance.
2. Consumers have the right to request information from suppliers about the presence of this substance in products they purchase.
3. Importers and producers of articles containing this substance above the 0.1% threshold must notify ECHA within six months of its inclusion (by December 27, 2024).
4. EU and EEA suppliers must update the safety data sheets for this substance or mixtures containing it.
5. Under the Waste Framework Directive, companies must notify ECHA if their articles contain this substance above the 0.1% threshold. This information will be published in ECHA's database of substances of concern in products (SCIP).

It's important to note that while the Candidate List has 241 entries, some entries represent groups of chemicals, so the total number of affected substances is higher. The inclusion of a substance in the Candidate List is a step towards its potential placement on the Authorisation List, which would require companies to apply for authorization to continue using it.

For those seeking software solutions to stay informed and compliant with the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, don't hesitate to contact the Compliance Data eXchange Team (CDX) at cdx-info@dxc.com. We offer robust solutions to navigate the intricacies of compliance effortlessly.