Rare Third Update to REACH’s SVHC List

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has submitted one new substance to REACH’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list, raising the overall number of substances from 241 to 242. 

New REACH SVHC Update Signals a Break from Routine

Updates to REACH’s SVHC List typically occur twice a year at six-month intervals. In 2024, ECHA added five new substances in January and one in June. With this third update, a total of seven new substances have been added to the SVHC list this year.

When ECHA reviews a substance, it is either added to the SVHC list or, if the risks are considered unmanageable, moved to the restricted list. You can find the complete SVHC List on the ECHA website here.

The New Substance on the REACH SVHC List: Triphenyl Phosphate (TPhP) 

Triphenyl Phosphate (TPhP) is the new substance added to REACH’s SVHC List. In its June 2024 update to the SVHC List, the ECHA delayed the addition of Triphenyl Phosphate to the chemicals list, citing new evidence that had been submitted and explaining that more time would be needed to assess the substance.

As always, the new Candidate List entry includes the reason for inclusion, as well as common uses:

Manufacturers and importers must declare SVHC content above the limit of 0.1% weight by weight in all articles, which includes the SCIP notifications. 

What Components Contain Triphenyl Phosphate (TPhP)?

Analysis by Z2Data of parts within its database that contain full materials disclosures found that only 1,000 parts contain the new substance of very high concern. A majority of the parts identified were: 

• Cables and Cable Assemblies 
• Connector Housings 
• Potentiometers 

Which Products Use Triphenyl Phosphate (TPhP)?

This substance is primarily used as a flame retardant and plasticizer in polymer formulations, adhesives and sealants. 6. According to the ECHA dossier for the SVHC submission, TPhP is also used in the formulation of plastics and rubber preparations for coatings and adhesive products. In addition, the chemical can be present as an impurity in other organophosphate flame retardants.

Manufacturers Should Still Expect a January 2025 Update to REACH’s SVHC List

While ECHA made an exception to its update cycle for this unique case, it plans to resume its usual biannual updates next year, with the consideration of six new substances likely coming in January 2025.9. It’s essential to inform your supply chain about this sudden regulatory development, as this update may catch many by surprise.

Want to See Where Your Products Are Affected?

Curious if your products contain Triphenyl Phosphate (TPhP) or any of the 241 substances on REACH’s SVHC list? Z2Data’s platform offers a clear view of your compliance status across all your products. Our tool analyzes your BOM to identify compliant and non-compliant parts, helping you prioritize any issues needing immediate attention.

With access to billions of data sources including full material disclosures, Z2Data’s platform helps you quickly identify which parts meet regulatory standards and which don’t, so you can focus on solving your compliance challenges. Our database of over 1 billion components streamlines access to essential information, reducing the need for extensive data collection.

Use Z2Data to get compliant with a number of key regulations, including but not limited to:

• REACH
• RoHS
• PFAS regulations
• Conflict Minerals
• California Prop 65

For a customized report of your compliance risks, connect with one of our Z2Data product experts.

What is REACH?

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (EC 1907/2006) is a safety regulation that was implemented by the European Union (EU) to prevent the use of certain toxic chemical substances in products manufactured, sold, and imported within the European Union (EU).

Recommended Reading: What is REACH? Who Does it Apply To?

Why Was REACH Created?

REACH was enacted in order to protect human health and the environment through better and earlier detection of harmful chemical substances. The substances restricted under REACH’s regulations have proven links to a myriad of health effects, including:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Cardiovascular disease
• Reproductive issues
• Cancer

They also can have lasting effects on the environment, including toxicity to aquatic life, loss of biodiversity, decreased growth in plants and animals, and negative health effects in vertebrates.