Call for comments to identify new Substances of Very High Concern SVHC

On 7 September 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a call for comments on nine proposals to identify new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). SVHCs are substances that can have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment. A substance that is identified as an SVHC will be added to the Candidate List for eventual addition to the Authorisation list. As of 10 June 2022, the Candidate list has 224 entries, some are groups of chemicals, so the overall number of impacted chemicals is higher. The Authorisation list has 59 entries. If a substance is on the Authorisation list, its use is prohibited unless the European Commission grants authorisation for continued use. 

The identification of SVHCs is based on the hazard properties of a substance. All interested parties are invited to submit comments during the consultation which lasts until 17 October 2022. Comments are particularly welcome on: 

• The identity of the substance (i.e. on the substance name/EC number/CAS number/molecular structure etc.) 

• Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties and on other properties that give rise to equivalent levels of concern. 

The nine proposals that the ECHA is looking for comments on are: 

• 4,4'-sulphonyldiphenol (bisphenol S; BPS) (EC 201-250-5, CAS 80-09-1). Used for the manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products, textile, leather or fur, and chemicals. 

• Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts (EC -, CAS -). The substances are not registered under REACH. 

• Melamine (EC 203-615-4, CAS 108-78-1). Used in polymers and resins, coating products, adhesives and sealants, leather treatment products, and laboratory chemicals. 

• Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (EC 224-208-8, CAS 4247-02-3). Used in the manufacture of substances and in coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, and inks and toners. 

• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof (EC -, CAS -). Used as a flame retardant and as a plasticiser for flexible polyvinylchloride and for use in wire and cable insulation, film and sheeting, carpet backing, coated fabrics, wall coverings and adhesives. 

• Barium diboron tetraoxide (EC 237-222-4, CAS 13701-59-2). Used in paints and coatings. 

• Reaction mass of 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl)morpholine and 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(heptafluoropropyl)morpholine (FC-770) (EC 473-390-7, CAS -). Used in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing. 

• 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (tetrabromobisphenol-A; TBBPA) (EC 201-236-9, CAS 79-94-7). Used as a reactive flame retardant and as an additive flame retardant in the manufacture of polymer resins, in products such as epoxy coated circuit boards, printed circuit boards, paper and textiles. 

• 1,1'-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene] (EC 253-692-3, CAS 37853-59-1). The substance is not registered under REACH.