Five New Substances Added to the SVHC Candidate List
The European Union's Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) has grown to include 247 entries with the addition of five new substances.
As of January 21, 2025, two new substances, octamethyltrisiloxane and perfluamine, have been added. These substances are highly persistent and bioaccumulative and are commonly used in the manufacturing of cleaning products and electrical, electronic, and optical equipment.
Additionally, two substances with persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic properties have been identified. One is O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate, used in lubricants and greases. The other is a reaction mass of triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives, which has been identified as an SVHC to avoid regrettable substitutions.
6-[(C10-C13)-alkyl-(branched, unsaturated)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl]hexanoic acid, used in lubricants, greases, and metalworking fluids, has been classified as toxic for reproduction.
Furthermore, the entry for tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite has been updated to reflect its endocrine-disrupting properties, both due to its intrinsic properties and when it contains ≥ 0.1% w/w of 4-nonylphenol, branched and linear (4-NP).
It's important to note that if a product contains a substance from the Candidate List above a concentration of 0.1% (weight by weight), suppliers must provide their customers and consumers with information on how to use it safely. Additionally, importers and manufacturers must notify ECHA if their products contain a Candidate List substance within six months of its inclusion in the list (in this case, by July 21, 2025).
Under the Waste Framework Directive, companies must also notify ECHA if the products they produce contain substances of very high concern above a concentration of 0.1% (weight by weight). This information is then published in ECHA's SCIP database.
Lastly, products containing SVHCs cannot be awarded the EU ecolabel.
Overview of updates to the Candidate List:
These substances may be added to the Authorisation List in the future, meaning companies could not use them unless they apply for and receive authorization from the European Commission.
SIAM keeps its database up-to-date, including the latest SVHC substances in our Chemeter software to assist our clients in complying with these regulations.