July 22, 2010

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently added eight chemical substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation.

The eight substances were added to the Candidate List because they are carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances. To date, 38 substances in total have been added to the Candidate List.

Companies, including suppliers, producers and importers, may have immediate and/or future legal obligations resulting from the inclusion of substances in the Candidate List. These obligations, which include providing information to customers and notifying ECHA, refer not only to the listed substances on their own or in mixtures but also to their presence in articles.

Companies applying for authorisation for continued use of an SVHC substance will have to demonstrate that the risks associated with uses of these substances are adequately controlled or that the socio-economic benefits from their use outweigh the risks. Applicants also will have to investigate the feasibility of substituting these substances with safer alternatives or technologies.

To learn more about how STR can help you both meet legal obligations and apply for authorisation, submit the short form below. An STR representative will follow up with you shortly.