The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially updated the SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) Candidate List once again. On November 5, 2025, at the request of the European Commission, Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was added to the list. With this addition, the total number of SVHC substances has reached 251, marking the third update in 2025.
Regulatory Update and Enterprise Obligations
According to the EU REACH Regulation, when a company’s substance is included in the Candidate List—whether used individually, in a mixture, or within an article—the company must comply with specific legal obligations:
If an article contains an SVHC at a concentration above 0.1% (w/w), suppliers must inform customers and consumers about safe usage. Consumers have the right to request confirmation on whether a product contains any SVHCs.
Importers and manufacturers must notify ECHA within six months from the date the substance is listed (by May 5, 2026).
Suppliers of SVHCs within the EU/EEA must update the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provided to customers accordingly.
Details are as follows
1) Under the REACH Regulation, when a company’s substance is included in the Candidate List — whether as an individual substance, in a mixture, or in an article — the company must fulfill certain legal obligations.
- If an article contains an SVHC at a concentration above 0.1% w/w, the supplier must provide customers and consumers with information on how to safely use the product. Consumers have the right to inquire whether the products they purchase contain SVHCs.
- If an article contains an SVHC, importers and manufacturers must notify ECHA within 6 months from the date it is added to the list (i.e., by May 5, 2026).
- Suppliers of substances on the Candidate List in the EU/EEA, whether supplied on their own or in mixtures, must update the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provided to their customers.
2) Under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), if an article manufactured by a company contains an SVHC in concentrations above 0.1% w/w, the company must also notify ECHA.
This notification will be published in the SCIP database (Substances of Concern In Products).
3) Under the EU Ecolabel regulation, products containing SVHCs cannot receive the EU Ecolabel.
As a professional testing and certification organization, CTIC provides comprehensive REACH compliance testing services covering all 251 SVHC substances, in accordance with international standards. By staying updated with ECHA’s ongoing SVHC list expansions, CTIC helps enterprises manage chemical risks, maintain continuous compliance, and ensure smooth access to the EU market.
Contact CTIC to learn more about REACH testing, SVHC screening, or compliance consulting services. Our team is ready to provide professional and efficient support.
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