SVHC Update February 2026 - What’s New? Why Is It Relevant?
The following substances were newly included:
- n-Hexane
CAS No. 110-54-3 | EC No. 203-777-6
Identified due to specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure (Article 57(f) REACH – human health). Common uses include formulations, polymer processing, coatings, and cleaning agents.
- 4,4'-[2,2,2-Trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts
Classified as toxic for reproduction (Article 57(c) REACH). Typical applications include use as a process regulator and cross-linking agent.
As some Candidate List entries cover groups of substances, the actual number of affected chemicals is higher. Both substances may be considered for inclusion in the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV) in the future.
Official Source: “ECHA adds two hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List”, Press Release ECHA/NR/26/06, 4 February 2026
Impact on Companies
Once a substance is included in the SVHC Candidate List, immediate legal obligations apply:
- Information duty (Article 33 REACH)
If an article contains an SVHC above 0.1 % w/w, suppliers must inform customers and consumers about safe use.
- SCIP notification requirement
Producers and importers must notify affected articles to the ECHA SCIP database under the Waste Framework Directive.
- REACH Article 7(2) notification
Notification to ECHA is required within six months of inclusion (by 4 August 2026).
- Safety Data Sheet updates
Suppliers of substances and mixtures must update their SDS accordingly.
Industries such as chemicals, plastics, coatings, automotive, and electronics are particularly affected.
SVHC Compliance with IPOINT
With IPOINT’s REACH compliance software, companies can efficiently manage SVHC updates and related obligations. Key capabilities include:
- Automated monitoring of Candidate List updates ensuring SVHC compliance
- Screening of materials, components, and articles for SVHC content
- Integrated SCIP submission workflows
This enables organizations to maintain compliance while increasing transparency across their supply chains.
