EU Regulation EC 1907/2006 (REACH — Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the EU's primary chemical regulation. REACH requires manufacturers and importers of chemical substances to register them with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and to communicate information about chemical hazards throughout the supply chain.
SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern)
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are chemicals that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic. ECHA maintains the Candidate List of SVHCs. Suppliers of articles containing SVHCs above 0.1% w/w must: provide information to professional users; notify ECHA in the SCIP database; and inform consumers upon request.
Authorisation
SVHCs on the Authorisation List (Annex XIV of REACH) cannot be placed on the EU market or used after the sunset date unless the specific use has been authorised by the European Commission. Authorisation applications must demonstrate that risks are adequately controlled or that socioeconomic benefits outweigh the risks.