Use of SVHC:
Study Reveals Surprising Findings

Most substances classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH can be classified as having essential applications. That was the finding of a study by the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University.

The figures in detail

According to the study, only 10 percent of the SVHC uses examined can be classified as “non-essential,” while 55 percent can be classified as essential. The use of the remaining 35 percent is complex and therefore a gray area. That means that the scientists were unable to classify their use as either essential or non-essential.

Greater clarity needed

The outcome raises doubts about whether the EU will achieve its goal of further restricting the use of chemicals (such as carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and substances with other critical properties) and of accelerating the restriction of these substances with the criteria that have been set.

In view of the broad gray area, industry is calling for clearer guidelines on how the concept is to be implemented in future legislation.

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