ECHA adds five hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List

23 January 2024 – The European compounds Agency (ECHA) has added five new compounds to the Candidate List. Three chemicals are extremely persistent and highly bioaccumulative, one chemical is hazardous for reproduction, and another one is persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. They are commonly found in products like washing and cleaning products, adhesives and sealants, and inks and toners. 

There are currently 240 entries for substances that can be harmful to humans or the environment on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern. Businesses are in charge of controlling the hazards linked to these substances and informing clients and consumers about how to use them safely and properly. Additionally, the Agency included details regarding dibutyl phthalate’s environmental endocrine disrupting qualities to its existing Candidate List entry.

The listing of these substances on the Candidate List has been verified by the Member State Committee of ECHA. In the future, these chemicals might be included in the Authorization List. Companies are not allowed to use chemicals that are on that list, unless they ask for authorization and the European Commission provides approval for them to be used indefinitely.

Consequences of the Candidate List

When a material is listed on the Candidate List, whether alone, in mixes, or in articles, companies are subject to legal obligations under REACH. When a product contains a substance on the Candidate List at a concentration above 0.1% (weight by weight), suppliers need to inform customers and consumers on proper usage methods. Customers can inquire with suppliers about the presence of substances of serious concern in the products they buy.

If an article contains a substance on the Candidate List, importers and manufacturers must report it to ECHA within six months of the substance’s inclusion on the list (23 January 2024). Suppliers from the EU and EEA who supply compounds that are on the Candidate List, whether individually or in combination, are required to revise the safety data sheet that they submit to their customers.

In accordance with the Waste Framework Directive, businesses should additionally report ECHA if substances of very high concern are present in their products at concentrations more than 0.1% (weight by weight). The ECHA’s database of substances of concern in products (SCIP) has this notification.

ECHA adds five hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List

Substance list