REACH - Substances of very high concern and restricted chemicals

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation places controls on the supply and use of certain chemical substances on their own, in preparations or mixtures, or in articles (finished products). These controls apply to substances that can be particularly harmful to human health or the environment.

Since the UK’s exit from the EU:

  • Scotland follows the UK REACH, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
  • Northern Ireland remains aligned with EU REACH

Chemical groups controlled under REACH

There are three main groups of substances subject to control:

  • the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC)
  • Annex XIV (14) substances - priority SVHCs from the candidate list that require an authorisation for their supply and use
  • Annex XVII (17) restricted substances - particular hazardous substances that have controls on how they can be supplied or used.

A substance can fall under one or multiple groups.

What you must do

SVHC and Annex 14 substance controls

Both UK and EU REACH frameworks maintain a candidate list of SVHCs and an Annex 14 authorisation list.

If you deal with candidate SVHCs or Annex XIV substances your REACH obligations apply to any quantity or weight.

If you handle these substances (in any quantity or form), you must:

  • Notify recipients if articles contain SVHCs above 0.1% w/w. amd provide safe use information
  • Provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for hazardous substances
  • Respond with 45 days, free of charge, yto any request for information on SVHCs in articles
  • Comply with notification requirements and obtain authorisation for specific uses (if required under Annex 14)

Scotland (UK REACH)

  • Refer to HSE’s SVHC and Authorisation lists
  • Authorisation is needed for substances listed in UK Annex 14

Northern Ireland (EU REACH)

  • Follow the ECHA’s candidate and authorisation lists
  • Use and supply of listed substances must comply with EU authorisations requirements

Substance restrictions

Annex 17 (of UK and EU REACH) lists substances restricted to protect health and the environment.

If a chemical is listed, you must:

  • Not supply or use in accordance with the listed restrictions
  • Prevent others from breaching those restrictions
  • Monitor for concentration limits or total bans on uses

Restricted chemicals include (but are not limited to):

  • lead carbonates and sulphates
  • benzene
  • pentachlorophenol
  • nonylphenol and its ethoxylates
  • cadmium
  • hexachloroethane
  • creosote
  • mercury and arsenic compounds

Note: UK REACH (Scotland) Annex 17 list is managed separately from EU REACH and may differ from the EU list. You should check it regularly to keep up to date with restrictions on the chemicals you are involved with.

Further information

 

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