ECHA Launches New Public Consultation on 10 Potential SVHCs

ECHA has published new proposals to identify a further 10 chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Several of the proposals in the current consultation are based on more than one SVHC property. For the first time, substances are proposed to be identified as SVHCs based on their specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure.

One substance is proposed to be identified as being of an equivalent level of concern for the environment due to the endocrine disrupting properties of the degradation products.

Of the five substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), two are proposed to be additionally identified as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT). Another two are proposed to be additionally identified as giving rise to an equivalent level of concern to CMR properties, due to their adverse effects on kidney and bone.

Four substances are proposed to be identified as being very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). In particular, UV-320 and UV-328 are also proposed to be identified as PBT and their toxicity (T) data are considered to fulfil the classification criteria ‘specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure, category 1 or 2' (STOT RE 1/2). However, as there is currently no harmonised classification for STOT RE 1/2 in place for UV-320 and UV-328, comments on the toxicity of these two substances will be considered in the SVHC identification process steps following the consultation. ECHA intends to involve the Committee for Risk Assessment in the evaluation of this toxicity endpoint.

Furthermore, comments may be submitted on the PBT/vPvB or "equivalent level of concern" properties of the proposed substances, as well as information on their identity. The Member State Committee will take these comments into account when seeking agreement on the identification of a proposed substance as an SVHC. No account will however be taken by the Committee of comments on SVHC hazard properties where a harmonised classification is laid down in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.

In addition, information on the uses of the substances may be provided. This includes data on tonnages per use and on exposures or releases resulting from these uses. Information on the availability of safer alternative substances/techniques and on the structure of supply chains is also welcome. ECHA will consider this information later in the process when recommending SVHCs for inclusion in the Authorisation List (Annex XIV).

To date, 138 SVHCs have been included in the Candidate List. Inclusion on the list imposes new information requirements on suppliers of mixtures and articles containing the substances.