The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds new substances to its Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Candidate List twice a year. These are substances that may require future authorization and that manufacturers will need to uncover in their products and begin reporting now.
On January 23, 2024, five new substances were added to the Candidate List. The Agency also updated the existing Candidate List entry for dibutyl phthalate. The list now contains 240 entries – some of which are groups of chemicals, so the overall number of impacted substances is higher.
If any of these substances are present in your products at greater than 0.1% concentration, you must report the necessary chemical data to your customers. You must also report chemical information in the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database.
New Candidate List Substances Added in January 2024
The following substances were included in the January 2024 REACH candidate list update.
2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol
This substance was added because it is toxic for reproduction. It is also considered persistent and bioaccumulative. It is used in the manufacturing of other substances, formulation of mixtures, and in fuel products.
2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol (UV-329)
This substance was added because it is classified as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). It is used in air care products, coating products, adhesives and sealants, lubricants and greases, polishes and waxes, and washing and cleaning products.
Bumetrizole
This substance was added because it is vPvB. It is used in coating products, adhesives and sealants, and washing and cleaning products.
2-(Dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl) methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one
This substance was added because it is toxic for reproduction. It is used in inks, toners, and coating products.
Oligomerisation and alkylation reaction products of 2-phenylpropene and phenol
This substance was added because it is vPvB. It is used in adhesives and sealants, coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modeling clay, inks and toners, and polymers.
Dibutyl phthalate (updated entry)
This substance was updated for its endocrine disrupting properties. It is used in metal working fluids, washing and cleaning products, laboratory chemicals, and polymers.
How to Remain REACH Compliant
The first step to remaining REACH compliant is to determine if these substances are present in the products you manufacture or in the products you purchase from suppliers.
If any Candidate List substances are present at or over the 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) threshold, you will need to inform your customers and downstream users and provide them with safe use instructions. You will also need to report these substances in the SCIP database. Importers and producers must notify ECHA if their products contain a Candidate List substance within six months of its inclusion on the list – if those substances are also imported in the European Union in total volumes of one metric ton or more.
Remember that these substances may be placed on the Authorization List in the future. If a substance is on that list, companies cannot use it unless they apply for authorization and the European Commission authorizes its continued use.
Find Sustainable REACH Solutions
REACH requirements change regularly, and REACH enforcement is on the rise. If you want to keep your products on the market in the EU, it’s essential to understand all your REACH reporting obligations.
If you need help identifying Candidate List substances in your products, communicating with your suppliers, or maintaining your REACH reporting, contact Tetra Tech’s product compliance experts at [email protected]. We have decades of experience with EU compliance regulations and can help you find sustainable compliance solutions.
