The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched, on 8 March, a public consultation to identify eight chemicals as ‘substances of very high concern’ (SVHC - carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction). Interested parties have until 22 April to submit their comments.

Three member states - Denmark, France and Germany – have put forward proposals to identify eight chemical substances as SVHC: trichloroethylene; boric acid; disodium tetraborate, anhydrous; tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate; sodium chromate; potassium chromate; ammonium dichromate; and potassium dichromate.

Comments are invited on these eight proposals, which should focus primarily on the hazardous properties that qualify the chemicals as SVHCs and parties can provide remarks and further information on the uses, exposures and availability of safer alternative substances or techniques. These aspects will mainly be considered during the second stage of the process or otherwise during the selection of substances for authorisation.

The member state committee will review these comments when seeking an agreement on the identification as SVHC before ECHA includes these substances on the candidate list, from which substances are selected for authorisation. Substances that appear on the authorisation list can, after a transition period, only be used if a specific authorisation is granted. According to ECHA, there are already 29 substances on the candidate list. Inclusion on that list means new information requirements for suppliers of preparations and articles containing the substances.