ECHA Issues Deadline for SVHC in Articles

Companies that manufacture, import, or sell articles containing substances of very high concern (SVHC) must notify the ECHA about the articles by the end of 2020. The ECHA will set up the related database by the end of 2019, according to a press release.

The goal and purpose of the database are to:

  • Support waste-handling and recycling companies in reclaiming raw materials from waste products with as little hazardous material as possible.
  • Serve consumers as a foundational repository of information: It could be possible to provide the
    information stored in the database to app users, for example (We reported on a related project of the German Environmental Ministry)
  • Encourage companies to replace the SVHC with alternatives as quickly as possible

According to Article 7 (2) of REACH, companies are obligated to notify the ECHA when articles contain a concentration of SVHC greater than 0.1% by weight in quantities greater than one ton per year and per producer or importer. According to Article 33, Section 2, they are to respond to consumers’ requests for information about their articles within 24 days when the concentration of the substances therein exceeds 0.1% by mass.

As part of the EU action plan on the circular economy, the EU Council of Ministers called on the ECHA at its meeting on June 25 to take measures that enable seamless tracking of hazardous chemicals along the entire supply chain by 2030 (see No. 16 of the document).

Only recently has the EU Parliament approved an amendment of Article 9 of the Waste Framework Directive. As is also true of REACH, the reformulated Article 9 calls on manufacturers and importers to notify the EC-HA of the presence of all SVHC in their articles (see our blog entry: EU Amends Article 9 of the Waste Framework Directive).

With our support, you can comply with all legal requirements when dealing with chemicals with possible health issues. We are here for you at reach@kft.de.

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