For the first time, ECHA has published information on articles on the EU market that contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs) included on the candidate list. The data is based on information provided by companies to ECHA in notification and registration dossiers.

Information and Data
The published information shows that 18 candidate list substances have been reported as present in articles, and that the phthalate DEHP accounts for 88 of the 203 notifications it received in the first reporting period between April and December 2011. The majority of notifications received so far relate to DEHP and three other phthalates, DBP, BBP and diisobutyl phthalate that are on the candidate list because they are classified as reprotoxins. They are "typically be found in plastic articles", says ECHA, such as cables, bags, packaging material, waterproof garments and PVC flooring.

The second most commonly notified substance, with 30 notifications, was the brominated flame retardant HBCDD, which is a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substance. This, says the agency, "can be found in articles used by the construction and building sectors such as plastic panels for the thermal insulation of buildings. It has also been notified in polystyrene foam used for packaging and in the plastic housing of electronic appliances."

ECHA stresses that the published information "does not mean that all articles of these types contain the substance, just that they may. Similarly, not finding an article in the list does not mean that it does not contain an SVHC."

Responsibility
The agency is using the publication of the information as an opportunity to remind importers and producers of their legal obligation to notify when one of their articles contains a candidate list substance if it is present in the articles above one tonne per year and in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight. It also want to remind consumers that they have the right to know when substances on the candidate list are present in articles that they want to buy. They have the right to ask the retailer this and to receive an answer within 45 days.

ECHA says that because the notification obligation is relatively new, "many" producers and importers of articles may still be unaware of their responsibility to notify. "Consequently, the information does not provide a full picture of substances of very high concern in articles on the EU market. Companies are therefore encouraged to check that they have implemented their legal obligations in this regard."

Time
The deadline for producers and importers of articles to notify ECHA of the presence in articles of the 20 SVHCs that were added to the candidate list in December 2011 is in June 2012.

The Solution
Intertek has the capability to evaluate SHVCs and inform importers and producers of their legal obligation. By leveraging our local services and global network, we enable our customers to dedicate their primary energies to their core business activities.