EU – ECHA Opens the Second SVHC Consultation of 2016 on Six Proposals

SAFEGUARDS | Consumer Products NO. 156/16

On September 6, 2016, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) launched the second public consultation [1] of 2016 on six potential Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). The SVHCs candidate list will expand to 175 if all the six proposals are accepted. Interested parties have until October 21, 2016 to submit comments and further information on the use, exposure, alternatives and risks of the substances to the ECHA.

The Six Potential SVHC Proposals

Six SVHC proposals were published in the second consultation list of 2016, one of which is notably bisphenol A. Bisphenol A was reclassified from Repr. 2 to Repr. 1B in 9^th adaption of the technical and scientific progress (Regulation (EU) NO. 2016/119) [2] to CLP Regulation (EC) NO. 1272/2008, and therefore fulfills the criteria for identification of SVHC in accordance with REACH. Currently, the use of bisphenol A is strictly regulated at a global level in certain toys and food contact materials; it is proposed to also restrict its presence in thermal paper under Annex XVII of REACH.

Being a group of alkylphenols with a linear or branched alkylchain in para-position as SVHC candidates, 4-nonylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol, three phenols (4-tert-butylphenol, p-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol, and 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear) are proposed as SVHCs due to equivalent level of concern based on their endocrine disrupting properties. The three phenols are generally used in the production of polymers and resins.

Nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its sodium and ammonium salts is the eighth long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acid proposed for inclusion as a SVHC, owing to its proposed CLP classification as Repr. 1B and its PBT properties.

The sixth proposed SVHC is a respiratory sensitizer, trimellitic anhydride, which is mainly used in the manufacture of polymers, esters, and epoxy resins.

The potential uses of the six potential SVHCs are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1: Possible uses of the potential SVHCs in the Consultation List published by ECHA on September 6, 2016

Abbreviations

EQC: Equivalent level of concern

PBT: Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic

Repr 1B: Toxic for reproduction Category 1B

SVHC may be introduced into various consumer products due to the complexities of both the supply chain and production process. Identifying high risk products or materials or having a test strategy can also be a smart way to ensure compliance and save costs.  If you would like to learn more about how SGS can support your REACH compliance activities please visit www.sgs.com/reach.

For enquiries, please contact:

Emily Lam

Corporate Research & Development
t: +852 2204 8339 ext.1339

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