The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added two hazardous chemicals to the EU’s Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under the REACH Regulation. The update highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen chemical safety and protect human health and the environment across the European market.

The substances added are n-hexane and 4,4'- [2,2,2-trifluoro-1 (trifluoromethyl) ethylidene] diphenol and its salts. These chemicals are commonly used in processes such as polymer production, coatings, cleaning agents and cross-linking applications. The former was included due to concerns about specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure, while the latter were identified as toxic for reproduction. With this update, the Candidate List now contains 253 entries of substances considered hazardous.  

The inclusion of substances on the candidate list triggers legal obligations for companies operating in the EU. Businesses must inform customers if products contain these substances above specified thresholds and provide information on safe use. For sectors such as textiles and other manufacturing industries that rely on complex material supply chains, these updates highlight the importance of monitoring chemical use and ensuring compliance with EU chemical safety requirements.

For more information visit European Chemicals Agency’s official website.