The Candidate List of the EU is a list of substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment and that have been identified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC). The list aims to inform the general public and industry that these substances are candidates for possible inclusion in the Authorisation List. Substances on this list cannot be placed on the market or used after a given date unless an authorization is granted for their specific use, or the use is excluded from authorization. Any supplier of articles containing a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight) has to communicate this to customers down the supply chain and to consumers.
Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS) Added
ECHA has added a new substance, PFHxS, to the Candidate List. Adding this very persistent and bioaccumulative substance was based on a proposal from Sweden.
PFHxS belongs to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Several PFASs have already been identified as SVHCs. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related substances are now restricted, another restriction is under preparation, and many assessments are underway.
The Candidate List of substances of SVHCs currently contains 174 substances, the Authorization List 43 substances.
Entries for Bisphenol A and Four Phthalates Updated
The entry for bisphenol A (BPA) has been updated to include endocrine-disrupting properties for human health, based on a proposal from France. BPA was included in the Candidate List due to its toxicity to reproduction in January.
In addition, the existing entries for benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) were updated accordingly.
Table. Substances included/updated in the Candidate List for authorisation on 7 July 2017 and their SVHC properties:
| # | Substance name | EC number | CAS number |
SVHC property |
Examples of use(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid and its salts (PFHxS) |
– |
– |
vPvB (Article 57e) |
Not yet registered under REACH. May be used as a plasticiser, lubricant, surfactant, wetting agent, corrosion inhibitor and in fire-fighting foams. |
|
2 |
4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A; BPA) |
201-245-8 |
80-05-7 |
Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Manufacture of polycarbonate, as a hardener for epoxy resins, as an anti-oxidant for processing PVC and in thermal paper production. |
|
3 |
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) |
201-622-7 |
85-68-7 |
Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Adhesives, sealants and coating products. |
|
4 |
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) |
204-211-0 |
117-81-7 |
Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Used as a plasticiser in polymers, such as PVC. |
|
5 |
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) |
201-557-4 |
84-74-2 |
Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Used as a plasticiser in polymers, such as PVC.
|
|
6 |
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) |
201-553-2 |
84-69-5 |
Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Coating product, fillers, putties, plasters, modeling clay and polymers. |
To increase clarity and transparency in the Candidate List the reason for inclusion of substances under Article 57(f) is now given by a description of the properties causing the adverse effects.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Helsinki, Finland
Further Information
- The Candidate List for authorisation
- Summary of obligations resulting from inclusion in the Candidate List
- How to submit substances in articles notifications
- SVHC Roadmap to 2020
