ECHA proposes 15 chemicals as SVHC

02 Sep '09

2 min read

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published on its website proposals to identify chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

Interested parties are welcome to comment on these 15 substances within the next 45 days. The comments will be taken into account when deciding whether the substances will be added to the Candidate List from which substances are selected for authorisation.

Anyone can comment by 15 October 2009, on the 15 proposals to identify chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern. These substances were proposed by EU/EEA Member States and by the European Commission. Comments should particularly focus on the hazardous properties that qualify the chemicals as SVHCs. In addition, parties can provide comments and further information on the uses, exposures and availability of safer alternative substances or techniques, although these aspects will mainly be considered at the next stage of the process which includes a new round of public consultation.

Comments received during the consultation period will be submitted to ECHA's Member State Committee when it is deciding whether it agrees with the proposed identification of the substances as SVHC. If the Committee unanimously agrees to the proposals, ECHA will place the substances on the so-called Candidate List, which already contains 15 substances.

Substances appearing on this list may eventually be included in the list of substances subject to authorisation (the Authorisation List). In this case, after a transition period, they can only be used if a specific authorisation is granted. Information requirements for suppliers of substances, preparations and articles containing these substances will also follow from the inclusion of the substances in the Candidate List.

Nine out of the 15 substances are proposed to be identified as SVHCs because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or reprotoxic (CMR) properties, having thus potentially serious effects on human health. Five substances are proposed to be identified as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic and as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (PBT), having ECHA/PR/09/12

One substance is proposed because it is considered both as CMR and PBT.

For the names of the substances and the reasons for their proposal as SVHC Click here:

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

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