On August 30th, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed adding six substances to its list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) under REACH regulations, for a total of 247 SVHCs. On November 7th, 2024, triphenyl phosphate was added to the list. Then, on Januray 21st, 2025, the remaining 5 SVHCs completed the list. This step is part of efforts to improve chemical safety across industries.
Authorities from different European countries proposed the following six substances to the EU REACH candidate list of SVHCs.
Substance Name | CAS # | Proposing Authority | Hazard | Application (Where used) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6-[(C10-C13)-alkyl-(branched, unsaturated)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl]hexanoic acid (also known as Tetra-PSCA) | 2156592-54-8 | Austria | Reprotoxic | Used in lubricants, greases, release products, and metal working fluids. Its utilization extends to formulation of packaging (no consumer uses). | |
O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate | 597-82-0 | Netherlands | Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) | Used in lubricants, greases, hydraulic and metal working fluids. It can also be used as cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids, etc. | |
Octamethyltrisiloxane | 107-51-7 | Norway | Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) | Used in the formulation and production of cosmetics and personal care products, health care products, pharmaceuticals, non-metal surface treatment, automotive care products (e.g., polishes, wax blends, washing, and cleaning products), adhesives, sealants, coatings, inks, paints, plasters, etc. | |
Perfluamine | 338-83-0 | Belgium | vPvB | It is a PFAS used in the manufacturing of computers, electrical and electronic devices, and optical equipment as a heat transfer fluid and immersion cooling in semiconductors, and in semiconductors thermal testing. | |
Reaction mass of: triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives | 192268-65-8 | Netherlands | PBT | Used in lubricants, greases, metal working fluids, and hydraulic fluids in industrial sites. It can also be used as cooling liquids in refrigerators, lubricants in motor oil, and oil-based electric heaters used by professional workers. | |
And a 6th substance added back in Nov 2024: Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite | - | France | Endocrine disruptor | Used in polymers, plastic products, rubber products, adhesives, sealants, and coatings. This substance was added to the SVHC list on November 7, 2024, before the other above. |
These substances have been under public consultation to potentially restrict or regulate their use due to environmental and health impacts. The consultation ended on October 14, 2024.
This move reflects ongoing EU efforts to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in products and industrial processes.
When a substance is added to the list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under EU REACH regulations, manufacturers, importers, and downstream users are required to take several steps to ensure compliance and manage risks:
By ensuring compliance, companies can minimize legal and financial risks, protect worker safety, and maintain market access within the EU.
If you have any questions regarding SVHCs and REACH compliance, contact Enviropass!