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ECHA Adds Five Hazardous Chemicals to SVHC List as Global PFAS Scrutiny Intensifies
January 7, 2025
As part of Europe’s expanding chemical safety agenda, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added five new substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and updated the classification of an existing entry. The move—announced on January 21, 2025—raises the total number of SVHC entries to 247, as the EU continues to target chemicals that pose serious risks to human health and the environment.
The latest additions highlight concerns over persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT) and very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB) chemicals, many of which are still in widespread industrial use. These substances may now face future bans under REACH unless companies apply for authorisation.
The Newly Listed Substances
The five newly added substances include:
Substance Name | Reason for Inclusion | Examples of Uses |
Octamethyltrisiloxane (EC 203-497-4) | vPvB (Article 57e) | Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, coatings |
Perfluamine (EC 206-420-2) | vPvB (Article 57e) | Manufacture of electronic and optical equipment |
O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate (EC 209-909-9) | PBT (Article 57d) | Lubricants and greases |
6-[(C10-C13)-alkyl-(branched, unsaturated)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl]hexanoic acid (EC 701-118-1) | Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c) | Lubricants, greases, metal working fluids |
Reaction mass of triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives (EC 421-820-9) | PBT (Article 57d) | (No active registrations) |
An updated entry was also made for Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite, which now formally reflects its endocrine-disrupting properties affecting the environment, particularly when it contains ≥ 0.1% of 4-nonylphenol.
Industry Responsibilities and Legal Implications
Under REACH, companies manufacturing or importing these substances—or articles containing them—now face new legal obligations:
Supply Chain Communication: If a product contains any SVHC above 0.1% w/w, suppliers must inform customers and consumers about its presence and safe use.
SCIP Notification: Producers and importers must notify ECHA within six months (by July 21, 2025) if their articles contain listed SVHCs above the threshold.
Safety Data Sheets: Must be updated to reflect the newly listed chemicals.
Ecolabel Restrictions: Products containing SVHCs are ineligible for the EU Ecolabel.
Authorisation Risk: Inclusion on the Candidate List is a step toward placement on the Authorisation List, which could ban use without specific approval by the European Commission.
ECHA’s Member State Committee (MSC) confirmed these classifications based on the chemicals' intrinsic hazards and potential for widespread environmental and human exposure.
Full update and list: ECHA Press Release
Detailed status report: SVHC Update Report (PDF)
Global Context: TSCA and International Action
This update from ECHA aligns with growing global momentum to tighten chemical regulations:
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring PFAS manufacturers to report historical data under the TSCA Section 8(a)(7) rule, with the deadline extended to December 31, 2025 (EPA source).
Many Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, are also introducing stricter controls on persistent pollutants and are monitoring substances classified as SVHCs in the EU.
Conclusion
The January 2025 SVHC update reflects the EU’s commitment to proactive chemical risk management and harmonization with international standards. Companies operating across borders must closely track these updates under REACH and TSCA and adjust their compliance strategies accordingly.
Failure to do so could lead to legal penalties, reputational risk, and restricted market access—especially in highly regulated sectors such as electronics, coatings, and consumer goods.
