The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added three new substances to the EU Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs), bringing the total to 250 entries. These chemicals are flagged for their hazardous properties – two for being very persistent and very bioaccumulative, and one for its toxicity to reproduction. Found in everyday products like cosmetics, lubricants, and textiles, these substances may pose long-term risks to human health and the environment.

Their inclusion triggers legal obligations for companies under the REACH Regulation. Producers and importers must provide safety information to customers and consumers when these substances are present above certain thresholds. They also have to notify ECHA and update safety data sheets accordingly. For consumers, this ensures greater transparency and the right to know whether the goods they buy contain SVHCs.

The listing is also a step towards possible inclusion in the Authorisation List, meaning future use could require explicit permission from the European Commission. Additionally, under EU Ecolabel criteria, products containing SVHCs are ineligible for certification, reinforcing the shift towards safer and more sustainable goods in the single market.