ECHA Adds Two New SVHCs to the REACH Candidate List
- Georgie Whitehouse
- Feb 17
- 2 min read
The regulatory landscape for chemical safety in the European Union continues to evolve. In its latest update, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially added two new hazardous chemicals to the REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).
With these additions, the Candidate List now stands at 253 entries. However, because some entries cover entire groups of chemicals, the actual number of impacted substances is even higher.
For companies operating within or exporting to the EU, this update triggers immediate legal obligations. Here is what you need to know to stay compliant.
The New Substances: What Are They and Why Were They Added?
The two substances added on February 4, 2026, were identified due to their serious risks to human health.
Substance Name | Common Uses | Reason for Inclusion |
n-hexane | Formulations, polymer processing, coatings, and cleaning agents. | Specific target organ toxicity (Article 57f) after repeated exposure. |
4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts | Process regulators and cross-linking agents. | Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c). |
What This Means for Your Business
If your products contain these substances in a concentration above 0.1% (weight by weight), you have immediate responsibilities under the REACH Regulation and the Waste Framework Directive.
1. Communication in the Supply Chain
Suppliers must provide customers (and consumers upon request) with sufficient information to allow safe use of the product. This includes, at a minimum, the name of the substance.
2. Notification to ECHA (SiA)
Importers and producers of articles have six months (until August 2026) to notify ECHA if their products contain these substances.
3. SCIP Database Requirements
Under the Waste Framework Directive, any article containing an SVHC above the 0.1% threshold must be submitted to the SCIP database. This ensures that waste operators and consumers have access to information about hazardous chemicals throughout the product's lifecycle.
4. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Updates
If you supply these substances (either on their own or in mixtures), you must update your Safety Data Sheets to reflect the new SVHC status.
5. EU Ecolabel Impact
Products containing these newly listed SVHCs are no longer eligible for the EU Ecolabel award, which may impact your marketing and sustainability certifications.
Why the Candidate List Matters
Being placed on the Candidate List is often the first step toward the Authorisation List (Annex XIV). If a substance moves to the Authorisation List, it cannot be placed on the market or used after a "sunset date" unless a specific authorisation is granted by the European Commission.
For proactive companies, this update is a clear signal to begin substitution planning. Identifying safer alternatives now can prevent supply chain disruptions and costly regulatory hurdles in the future.
How GoCompliance Can Help
Navigating REACH and SCIP requirements can be complex, especially as the list of regulated substances grows. At GoCompliance, we provide the tools and expertise to help you:
Audit your supply chain for SVHC presence.
Automate SCIP notifications and SDS updates.
Stay ahead of regulatory trends to future-proof your product line.
Is your inventory ready for the 2026 update? Contact our compliance specialists today for a consultation.
To read the official ECHA announcement, click here.