Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC): REACH Testing & Compliance

What Are Substances of Very High Concern?

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are chemical substances identified under the European Union REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) as posing particularly serious risks to human health or the environment. Inclusion on the SVHC Candidate List triggers information and communication obligations along the supply chain and may lead to authorisation requirements or restrictions on use.

Understanding SVHC identification and testing is essential for manufacturers, importers, and supply chain managers across the electronics, automotive, materials, and manufacturing industries who supply products to European markets.

Criteria for SVHC Classification Under REACH

A substance is identified as an SVHC if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic (CMR): Category 1A or 1B under CLP Regulation (EC No 1272/2008)
• Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT): Meeting criteria of REACH Annex XIII
• Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative (vPvB): Meeting criteria of REACH Annex XIII
• Endocrine Disrupting Properties: Substances affecting the hormonal system with an equivalent level of concern
• Persistent, Mobile, and Toxic (PMT) / Very Persistent and Very Mobile (vPvM): Newer criteria under the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) manages the SVHC Candidate List, which is updated twice yearly and currently contains over 240 substances.

SVHC Obligations Under REACH

Candidate List Communication Duty

If an article contains a Candidate List SVHC at a concentration above 0.1% by weight (per article), the supplier must provide sufficient information to the recipient to allow safe use. This information must include, at a minimum, the name of the substance.

Consumer Right to Know

Consumers have the right to ask whether any product they purchase contains Candidate List SVHCs. Suppliers have 45 days to respond with the relevant SVHC information.

Authorisation

SVHCs transferred to REACH Annex XIV (the Authorisation List) cannot be placed on the EU market or used after the defined sunset date without a specific authorisation granted by the European Commission.

Common SVHCs Relevant to Industrial Materials

Well-known SVHCs include phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP) used as plasticisers in PVC and rubber; heavy metals, including lead compounds and hexavalent chromium, used in surface treatments; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in rubber and carbon black; bisphenol A (BPA) used in epoxy resins and polycarbonates; and brominated flame retardants.

Testing Methods for SVHC Detection

SVHC analytical testing involves a combination of techniques depending on the substance class:

• X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): Rapid screening for heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, Br) per IEC 62321
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Trace metal quantification at ppb levels
• Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Identification and quantification of phthalates, PAHs, and organic SVHCs
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Separation and quantification of polar organic SVHCs
• Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) Analysis: Colorimetric methods per IEC 62321-7-2 and DIN 50021
• Thermal Desorption GC-MS: Detection of volatile and semi-volatile SVHCs in articles

Why SVHC Compliance Testing Matters

Failure to comply with SVHC communication requirements under REACH exposes companies to enforcement action by EU member state authorities, product market access restrictions, customer contract non-compliance, and reputational damage. Proactive SVHC screening of materials and products is essential for maintaining market access and supply chain transparency.

Conclusion

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) represent a critical category of chemicals regulated under EU REACH due to their potential risks to human health and the environment. Effective identification, testing, and communication of SVHCs are essential for regulatory compliance, product safety, and continued access to European markets. By leveraging appropriate analytical methods and staying aligned with updates from the European Chemicals Agency, companies can ensure transparency, minimise risk, and maintain responsible supply chain practices.

Why Choose Infinita Lab for SVHC and REACH Testing?

Infinita Lab provides comprehensive SVHC and REACH compliance testing services — including XRF screening, ICP-MS, GC-MS phthalate analysis, PAH testing, and hexavalent chromium determination — through our nationwide accredited laboratory network. Our regulatory experts support your compliance documentation and communication obligations.

Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you.

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