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Home ›› About Speciation ›› Speciation News

ECHA suggests further chemicals for SVHC list

(10.03.2010)

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has proposed to add eight chemicals to a list of substances of very high concern (SVHCs). These chemicals including hexavalent chromium and boron compounds could eventually be subject to tough authorisation requirements under REACH.

Three EU Member States – Denmark, France and Germany - have put forward proposals to identify eight chemical substances as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Anyone can comment on these eight proposals by 22 April 2010. Comments should focus primarily on the hazardous properties that qualify the chemicals as SVHCs. In addition, interested parties can provide comments and further information on the uses, exposures and availability of safer alternative substances or techniques. They should be aware that these aspects will mainly be considered at the next stage of the process (i.e. selection of substances for authorisation), which includes a new round of public consultation.

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.
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.

All eight substances are proposed because of their potentially serious effects on human health. They are carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction. The names of the substances, the reasons for their proposal as SVHC and their potential uses are provided in the table below.

Substance name	EC number	CAS number	Proposed SVHC property	Potential uses
Trichloro-ethylene	201-167-4	79-01-6	Carcinogenic category 2	Cleaning and degreasing of metal parts Solvent in adhesives Intermediate in the manufacture of chlorinated and fluorinated organic compounds
Boric acid	233-139-2 / 234-343-4	10043-35-3 / 11113-50-1	Toxic for reproduction category 2	Uses include a multitude of applications, e,g, in biocides and preservatives, personal care products, food additives, glass, ceramics, rubber, fertilisers, flame retardants, paints, industrial fluids, brake fluids, soldering products, film developers.
Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous	215-540-4	1330-43-4 12179-04-3 1303-96-4	Toxic for reproduction category 2	Uses include a multitude of applications, e,g, in biocides and preservatives, personal care products, food additives, glass, ceramics, rubber, fertilisers, flame retardants, paints, industrial fluids, brake fluids, soldering products, film developers.
Tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate	235-541-3	12267-73-1	Toxic for reproduction category 2	Uses include a multitude of applications, e.g. in glass and glass fibres, ceramics, detergents and cleaners, personal care products, industrial fluids, metallurgy, adhesives, flame retardants, biocides, fertilizers.
Sodium chromate	231-889-5	7775-11-3	Carcinogenic category 2; mutagenic category 2; toxic for reproduction category 2	Laboratory (analytical agent) Manufacture of other chromium compounds
Potassium chromate	232-140-5	7789-00-6	Carcinogenic category 2; mutagenic category 2	Treatment and coating of metals Manufacture of reagents and chemicals Manufacture of textiles Colouring agent in ceramics Tanning and dressing of leather Manufacture of pigments/inks Laboratory (analytical reagent) Pyrotechnics
Ammonium dichromate	232-143-1	7789-09-5	Carcinogenic category 2; mutagenic category 2; toxic for reproduction category 2	Oxidising agent Laboratory (analytical agent) Tanning of leather Manufacture of textiles Manufacture of photosensitive screens (cathode ray tubes) Metal treatment
Potassium dichromate	231-906-6	7778-50-9	Carcinogenic category 2; mutagenic category 2; toxic for reproduction category 2	Chrome metal manufacturing Treatment and coating of metals Manufacture of reagents and chemicals Laboratory (analytical agent) Cleaning of laboratory glassware Tanning of leather Manufacture of textiles Photolithography Wood treatment Corrosion inhibitor in cooling systems

Source: ECHA

Related information

ECHA: Proposals to identify Substances of Very High Concern

ECHA: Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation (SVHC)

Related EVISA Resources

EVISA brief summary: REACH: Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals

EVISA Link database: Toxicity of hexavalent chromium (chromate)

EVISA Link Database: Industrial Use of chromate

EVISA Link Database: Toxicity of boron compounds

EVISA Link Database: Industrial use of boron compounds