ECHA adds two rubber chemicals to SVHC candidate list

Helsinki – European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added four new materials, including two rubber chemicals, to the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC).

In a statement 17 Jan, the agency said it has added 6,6'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-methylenedi-p-cresol and tris(2-methoxyethoxy)vinylsilane to the SVHC list as they “negatively effect fertility.”

The items are used in rubbers, lubricants and sealants, according to ECHA.

Two other substances added to the list are used in cosmetics and lubricants and have been listed due to their hormone-disrupting properties in humans, and toxicity for the environment respectively.

The new additions bring the total of entries for hazardous chemicals to 223, ECHA said. 

The substances, ECHA went on to say, may be placed on the “authorisation list” in the future, which means that their use is prohibited unless a company receives an authorisation from the European Commission.

Under the REACH Regulation, companies have legal obligations when their substance is included – either on its own, in mixtures or in articles – in the candidate list.

Any supplier of articles containing a candidate list substance above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight) has to give sufficient information to their customers and consumers to allow safe use. 

Consumers have the right to ask suppliers whether products they buy contain substances of very high concern.

Importers and producers of articles have to notify ECHA if their article contains a candidate list substance within six months from the date it has been included in the list