SG 021/26
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added two substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List, triggering legal obligations for industry.
On February 4, 2026, the ECHA announced the addition of two substances to the Candidate List of SVHCs for authorization. This increases the total number of entries on the Candidate List from 251 to 253.
Highlights of revision to the Candidate List are summarized in Table 1.
| Item | Substance [EC/CAS] | Application examples |
| 1 | n-hexane [203-777-6/110-54-3]¹ |
|
| 2 | 4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethylidene] diphenol and its salts (bisphenol AF (BPAF) and its salts)² |
|
| ¹Specific target organ toxicity (STOT) – repeated exposure ²Toxic for reproduction | ||
Table 1
What are the consequences of a substance being added to the Candidate List?
Once a substance is placed on the Candidate List, companies have legal obligations when it is present on its own, in mixtures or in articles.
Duty to communicate on substances in articles
EU or EEA suppliers of an article containing a Candidate List SVHC in a concentration of more than 0.1% are required to provide information to the recipient of the article to allow the safe use of the article. Upon consumer request, this information must be supplied within 45 days.
Duty to notify ECHA under REACH
EU and EEA producers and importers of an article are obliged to notify the ECHA if their article contains a substance on the Candidate List. This applies if the substance meets two conditions:
- The substance is more than 0.1% in those articles
- The substance is present in those articles in quantities totalling more than one tonne per producer or importer per year
The notification must be submitted within six months of the substance’s inclusion on the list.
Safety data sheets (SDS) for substances on their own and in mixtures
Suppliers of substances on the Candidate List, either on their own or in mixtures, are obliged to provide their customers with an up-to-date safety data sheet (SDS).
Duty to notify ECHA under the Waste Framework Directive
Since 2021, suppliers of articles containing more than 0.1% of an SVHC on the Candidate List are obliged to notify the ECHA (Waste Framework Directive, WFD). This notification is published on the ECHA’s substances of concern in products (SCIP) database.
Additionally, products containing SVHCs do not qualify for the ecolabel award under the EU Ecolabel Regulation.
Whether you are a manufacturer, importer or retailer, it is essential to have a strategy in place that allows you to feel confident in achieving SVHC compliance. Armed with a wealth of expertise and unbeatable technical support, we offer a range of solutions for supply chain management and SVHC screening. From supplier training to testing and audits, we help you achieve full compliance. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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