You’ve probably heard of REACH, but you might not know there’s a special group of chemicals under extra scrutiny — that’s SVHC, or “Substances of Very High Concern.” These substances are hiding in everyday products you might be exporting to the EU without realizing it.

If your products contain SVHC above 0.1%, you must notify customers, report to the EU, and may need to find substitutes — otherwise, your products could be detained or your brand reputation damaged. This article explains everything you need to know in plain English.

What Is SVHC? (Substances of Very High Concern)

SVHC stands for Substances of Very High Concern — a special list of chemicals under the EU’s REACH regulation.

These aren’t ordinary chemicals. They’re substances that:

• May cause cancer or genetic mutations
• Are toxic to reproduction (causing infertility or birth defects)
• Persist in the environment for decades and accumulate in living organisms
• Have similarly severe effects

Critical point: SVHC aren’t banned outright — but they require “notification and disclosure,” and may eventually be moved to banned or restricted lists.

Why Should EU Exporters Care About SVHC?

If you think SVHC only affects chemical factories, think again — it impacts nearly every business exporting to the EU.

1. Legal Requirement: Must Notify Above 0.1%

Under REACH Article 33: If your product contains SVHC above 0.1% by weight in any “article” (component or finished product), you must:

• Notify customers within 45 days (if they request)
• Report to the SCIP Database (if selling in the EU)

Real example: If your plastic cable contains 0.15% Phthalates — must notify. If it contains 0.08% — no notification required (but should monitor).

2. Business Risk

Failure to notify or incorrect notification can result in:

• Products detained at customs
• Major customers (e.g., retailers) canceling orders
• Brand damage — perceived as “irresponsible”
• Potential lawsuits or fines (penalties vary by country)

3. Marketing Advantage

Conversely, if your products are SVHC-free, you can:

• Use it as a selling point: “SVHC-Free” or “REACH Compliant”
• Build trust with environmentally conscious customers
• Reduce long-term risk (avoid reformulation later)

The Candidate List: Constantly Updated

The SVHC list is called the Candidate List, updated 1-2 times per year — currently containing over 230 substances and growing.

How the List Works

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) evaluates and adds new substances. Substances on the Candidate List may be moved to:

• Authorization List (Annex XIV): Requires special permission to use
• Restriction List (Annex XVII): Banned or heavily restricted

Why monitor updates?

A substance not on the list today could be added next month. If you don’t monitor updates, a previously “safe” product could suddenly become “problematic.”

Where Do SVHC Hide in Products?

This is where many people are surprised — SVHC aren’t just in chemical factories; they’re in everyday products you might be selling:

1. Plastics and Polymers

Common SVHC: Phthalates (plasticizers), flame retardants, BPA

Found in: Cables, PVC pipes, toys, bags, shoes, packaging

2. Textiles and Apparel

Common SVHC: Certain textile dyes (Azo dyes), water repellents, stain treatments

Found in: Clothing, curtains, sofas, carpets, yoga mats

3. Electronics

Common SVHC: Flame retardants (HBCDD, DecaBDE), certain heavy metals

Found in: Circuit boards, plastic housings, cables, adapters

4. Furniture and Building Materials

Common SVHC: Formaldehyde, flame retardants in foam, surface coatings

Found in: Plywood, cushion foam, paints, wallpaper, insulation

5. Automotive Parts

Common SVHC: Plasticizers, flame retardants in seats and insulation

Found in: Car seats, dashboard panels, sound insulation, hoses

Important: SVHC often aren’t “added directly” but come from raw materials or additives suppliers use — that’s why you must check the entire supply chain.

How to Check and Manage SVHC

If you export to the EU, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Request Documentation from Suppliers

Request these documents:

• SVHC Declaration: Certificate stating no SVHC or below 0.1%
• Test Reports: From accredited laboratories
• Material Declaration: Details of what’s in the product

Pro tip: Good suppliers should have these ready. If they’ve never heard of SVHC = red flag.

Step 2: Test Samples

Send samples to accredited labs (e.g., SGS, Intertek, TÜV). They’ll test for common SVHC in your product category.

Cost: Depends on product type — starting around $300-800 per sample. Complex products may cost thousands.

Step 3: If SVHC Exceeds 0.1%

You have 3 options:

• Notify: Document customer notifications and report to SCIP Database
• Substitute: Find alternative materials without SVHC (best long-term approach)
• Discontinue: If no alternatives exist and it’s not worth fixing

Step 4: Monitor Updates

Subscribe to ECHA updates or use consultant services to know immediately when new substances are added to the Candidate List.

SCIP Database: Required Reporting System

Since 2021, there’s a new rule: If your product contains SVHC above 0.1% and is sold in the EU, you must report to the SCIP Database (Substances of Concern In Products).

Why Report?

• So consumers and recycling companies know what’s in products
• To support Circular Economy — safe material reuse
• To help ECHA track which substances are in the market

Who Must Report?

Manufacturers, importers, distributors in the EU — if you ship products, the importer must report. So you must provide accurate information to them.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: “Our Products Don’t Contain Chemicals”

Reality: Even textiles, wood, metals — all may contain chemicals from manufacturing processes like dyes, coatings, or additives.

Mistake #2: Trusting Suppliers 100%

Reality: Suppliers may not know or may be outdated. Request certification and test yourself — don’t risk it.

Mistake #3: Not Monitoring Updates

Reality: New substances are added annually. Previously safe products could become problematic. Monitor updates regularly.

Mistake #4: Calculating 0.1% Incorrectly

Reality: 0.1% is calculated per “article,” not the whole product — if a cable in a phone contains 0.15% SVHC, must notify even if the whole phone is only 0.01%.

Bottom Line: SVHC Is Early Warning, Not Immediate Ban

SVHC doesn’t mean “banned” — it means “know, disclose, prepare” — the EU wants everyone in the supply chain to know what’s in products so it can be managed responsibly.

For businesses, proper SVHC management means:

• Avoiding legal issues and product detention
• Building customer trust
• Preparing for the future (Green Supply Chain)
• Reducing long-term risk

The sooner you start, the more time you have to adapt — don’t wait until forced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is SVHC different from RoHS?

A: RoHS restricts 10 specific substances in electronics. SVHC covers 230+ substances in all product types and requires disclosure, not an outright ban.

Q: How is 0.1% calculated?

A: Per separable “article” — e.g., in a phone: case, battery, screen, circuit board are calculated separately, not combined.

Q: Must I check SVHC every shipment?

A: If materials and processes are unchanged, no need to retest every time. But monitor the Candidate List — if new substances are added, may need retesting.

Q: How long does SVHC testing take?

A: Typically 2-3 weeks. May take longer for specialized substances or complex components.