Project AskREACH: SVHCs Widely Present in Consumer Products

Every third consumer product contains substances of very high concern (SVHCs). That’s the finding of a study undertaken as part of an EU project, LIFE AskREACH. The German Federal Environmental Agency also participated in the study and published the results at the beginning of September.

Overall, some 106 leisure, garden, DIY, and swimming products were purchased and analyzed in 13 EU states between April and June of this year. SVHCs were found in 34 of the products, including prohibited phthalates DIBP, DEHP, and DBP; short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP); and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The concentration of SVHCs in some of the products exceeded 0.1% by weight. The researchers found particularly high concentrations in a children’s painting apron and in gardening gloves (DEHP concentrations higher than 20% by weight).

The EU created the LIFE AskREACH project in 2017. Its goal is to encourage consumers to be more active in claiming their rights for information. Most consumers do not know that manufacturers and distributors must provide information upon request if SVHCs are present in a product in a concentration greater than 0.1% by weight.

Do your products possibly contain SVHCs? Then you should protect yourself legally. Contact us at any time at sales@kft.de.