ECHA expands the list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

1. Implications for industrial sectors

2. Company obligations following the SVHC list update

3. Update available in eQgest

The European Union continues to strengthen its regulatory framework on chemical substances with the aim of protecting human health and the environment.

With the update of 4 February 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added new substances to the SVHC Candidate List (Substances of Very High Concern), which now includes a total of 253 entries.

This expansion not only increases the number of substances subject to control, but also entails immediate obligations for companies operating in the European market.

The newly included substances are n-hexane (EC No: 203-777-6 / CAS No: 110-54-3) and 4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts (EC No: - / CAS No: -).

These substances have been classified as having adverse effects on reproduction, which makes them subject to stricter regulatory controls.

Their use is common in sectors such as chemical formulation, polymer processing, coatings manufacturing, and the production of cleaning agents, meaning the update affects a wide range of industries.

Implications for industrial sectors

The presence of these substances in production processes requires companies to review their practices and assess safer alternatives.

Inclusion in the SVHC Candidate List is often the first step towards more restrictive measures, such as authorisation or even prohibition, making it essential to anticipate regulatory changes in order to reduce compliance and market risks.

Company obligations following the SVHC list update

The addition of new substances to the SVHC Candidate List automatically triggers a series of legal obligations under the REACH Regulation, affecting manufacturers, importers and suppliers within the European market:

1. Update of Safety Data Sheets

Manufacturers and distributors of substances and mixtures must review the technical documentation accompanying their products and update the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to include information related to the newly identified substances.

These documents must be provided in a clear, detailed and easily accessible manner to all actors in the supply chain.

2. Mandatory communication for articles

When an article contains one of these substances in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight, suppliers are required to inform professional customers and consumers upon request.

3. Notification to ECHA within six months

Producers and importers of articles have six months from the date of inclusion — until August 2026 — to notify ECHA if their products contain these substances in relevant quantities.

4. Impact on environmental certifications

The presence of SVHCs also affects the possibility of obtaining environmental certifications.

Under regulations such as the Waste Framework Directive or the EU Ecolabel Regulation, products exceeding the permitted thresholds of these substances cannot obtain the EU Ecolabel.

Update available in eQgest

The update including the two new substances added by ECHA to the SVHC Candidate List is now available in eQgest.

If you would like to learn how we can help you keep your Safety Data Sheets and product labelling always up to date with the latest regulatory requirements, the eQgest team will be pleased to assist you. Contact us here.

Further information on the SVHC Candidate List

If you would like to learn more about the SVHC Candidate List, we covered this topic in a previous article. You can read it at the following link.