The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially announced the 31st batch of 1 substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 241.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a consultation on an application submitted by its Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (CTACSub 2) for the authorization of Chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8, CAS 1333-82-0). This application covers twelve specific uses across three categories: mixture formulation, functional chrome plating on components, and surface treatments in aerospace and other industries.

In accordance with REACH regulations, before conducting tests under Annex IX and X (for registration volumes of 100-1,000 tons per year and over 1,000 tons per year), registrants must submit a testing proposal (TP). After a consultation period, ECHA will finalize the testing requirements based on feedback and the characteristics of the substance.

On May 16, 2024, the European Commission amended Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6). Under the 2006 REACH regulation, the amendment imposes stricter limits on the use of these chemicals in wash-off cosmetics and other consumer and professional products.

ECHA released the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2024-2026, which updates a list of 28 substances suspected to pose risks to human health and the environment for evaluation by the competent authorities of 11 Member States.

On March 1, 2024, ECHA released two substances proposed to be added into the SVHC Candidate List for public consultations. Comments are welcomed before April 15, 2024. ECHA regularly updates the SVHC Candidate list twice a year. So far, the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) has reached 240.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has performed compliance checks of approximately 15000 registrations between 2009 and 2023, representing 21 % of full registrations. It is a significant increase compared with 5% in 2019. At the same time, ECHA has also conducted compliance checks on 30% of high-tonnage registered substances (annual production of more than 100 tons). In 2023, 301 compliance reviews were conducted on more than 1750 REACH registration dossiers involving 274 substances, aiming to supplement potentially missing information to improve the safety of these chemical substances. Thus far, ECHA has made more than 251 data supplement requests to a number of companies.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is considering recommending five substances for the REACH Authorisation List. These five substances cover: Melamine; Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof (TBPH); S-(tricyclo[5.2.1.0 2,6]deca-3-en-8(or 9)-yl) O-(isopropyl or isobutyl or 2-ethylhexyl) O-(isopropyl or isobutyl or 2-ethylhexyl) phosphorodithioate; Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide; and Barium diboron tetraoxide.

On 18 January 2024, ECHA published a screening report to assess whether the use of these four benzotriazoles in articles, including UV-328, UV 327, UV-350, and UV-320, should be restricted in accordance with REACH Article 69(2). Based on the available evidence, ECHA is considering restricting or prohibiting the use (or presence) of three out of the four substances, including UV-320, UV-350, and UV-327 in articles and preparing an Annex XV dossier for restriction. In terms of UV-328, ECHA is of the view that at present there is no need to prepare an Annex XV dossier for restriction as the substance is expected to be addressed by the EU POPs regulation.

Helsinki, January 23, 2024 – The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially announced the addition of two substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 240. ECHA has also updated the existing Candidate List entry for dibutyl phthalate to include its endocrine-disrupting properties for the environment. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was added to the SVHC Candidate List in October 2008 in the first batch.