The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has updated the REACH Candidate List, adding two new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in February 2026. These additions bring the total number of SVHC entries on the Candidate List to 253, reflecting continued regulatory scrutiny by ECHA of chemicals that may harm human health or the environment.
Some of these 253 entries cover groups of chemicals, so the total number of impacted substances is greater.
If any of these substances are present in your products at greater than 0.1% concentration (weight by weight), you must report the necessary chemical data to your customers. You must also report chemical data in the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database.
New Candidate List Substances – February 2026
The following substances were included in the latest REACH Candidate List update on 4 February 2026:
n-hexane (EC 203-777-6, CAS 110-54-3)
This substance was added because it is classified as a specific target organ toxic after repeated exposure (Article 57(f) – human health).
It is used in formulation, polymer processing, coatings, and cleaning agents.
4,4′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts
This substance was added because it is toxic for reproduction (Article 57c).
It is used as a process regulator and cross-linking agent.
These substances may be placed on the Authorisation List in the future. If a substance is included on that list, companies cannot use it unless they apply for authorization and the European Commission authorizes its continued use.
Implications for Businesses
Under REACH, companies assume specific legal obligations when a substance is placed on the Candidate List, whether it is supplied on its own, in mixtures, or incorporated into articles. These requirements apply to products made available on the EU market.
When an article contains a Candidate List substance above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w), suppliers must provide recipients and, upon request, consumers with sufficient information to ensure safe use. Consumers have the right to ask suppliers whether products they purchase contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs).
Producers and importers of articles are required to notify ECHA if an SVHC is present above the 0.1% (w/w) threshold and the total quantity exceeds one tonne per producer or importer per year. This notification must be submitted within six months of the substance’s inclusion on the Candidate List. For substances added in February 2026, the notification deadline is 4 August 2026.
Suppliers placing Candidate List substances on the market, either as standalone substances or in mixtures, must update and provide safety data sheets (SDSs) to their customers.
In addition, the Waste Framework Directive requires companies to submit information to ECHA when articles they produce contain SVHCs above 0.1% (w/w). These submissions are made publicly available through ECHA’s Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database, supporting transparency for waste operators and consumers.
Finally, under the EU Ecolabel Regulation, products containing SVHCs are not eligible for EU Ecolabel certification.
Looking Ahead
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.
