The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds five new chemicals to the Candidate List. One of them is toxic for reproduction, three are very persistent and very bioaccumulative. Another one is toxic for reproduction and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. They are found in inks and toners, adhesives and sealants and cleaning products.
The agency has also updated the existing Candidate List entry for dibutyl phthalate. It is to include its endocrine disrupting properties for the environment.
List of new entries
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) now contains 240 entries for chemicals. It can harm people or the environment. Companies are responsible for managing the risks of these chemicals. They should give customers and consumers information on their safe use.
Entries added to the Candidate List on 23 January 2024:
ECHA’s Member State Committee has confirmed the addition of these substances to the Candidate List. Some are groups of chemicals so the number of impacted chemicals is higher.
These substances may be placed on the Authorisation List in the future. If a substance is on that list, companies cannot use it unless they apply for authorization and the European Commission authorizes its continued use.
Consequences of Candidate List
Under REACH, companies have legal obligations when their substance is included – either on its own, in mixtures or in articles – in the Candidate List.
If an article contains a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight), suppliers have to give their customers and consumers information on how to use it safely. Consumers have the right to ask suppliers if the products they buy contain substances of very high concern.
Importers and producers of articles have to notify ECHA if their article contains a Candidate List substance. it has to be done within six months from the date it has been included in the list (23 January 2024).
EU and EEA suppliers of substances on the Candidate List, supplied either on their own or in mixtures, have to update the safety data sheet they provide to their customers.
Under the Waste Framework Directive, companies also have to notify ECHA if the articles they produce contain substances of very high concern in a concentration above 0.1 % (weight by weight). This notification is published in ECHA’s database of substances of concern in products (SCIP).
Source: ECHA
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