2. 2. 11. Ban of SVHC

Substances that may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment can be identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs), according to REACH regulation (EG/1907/2006). Teir use is principally unwanted and the longterm aim is to withdraw them from circulation in Europe.

Substaces are identified as SVHC, when they are registered on the Authorization List (accordig to annex XIV of the REACH regulation), or when they are includeted to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorisation (in short the "Candidate List").

At least one of the following Articles of the REACH regulation applies to these substances:

• 57a: carcinogenic (meeting hazard cathegory 1A or 1B according to CLP)
• 57b: mutagenic (meeting hazard cathegory 1A or 1B according to CLP)
• 57c: toxic for reproduction (meeting hazard cathegory 1A or 1B according to CLP)
• 57d: persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) according to the criteria in annex XIII of the REACH regulation
• 57e: very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to the criteria in annex XIII of the REACH regulation
• 57f: Identified as SVHC on a case-by-case basis, from scientific evidence as causing probable serious effects to human health or the environment of an equivalent level of concern as those above (e.g. neurotoxicity or endocrine disrupters)

 

Not every substance that needs to be labelled with one or more of these properties after the CLP Regulation is necessarily an SVHC.

Substances that have been identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs), according to REACH regulation (EG/1907/2006), or included in the Candidate List (REACH, annex XIV), must not be contained in the final product ready for sale. Contaminations with SVHCs are tolerated to the amount of 0,1 % by weight.

 

Exception for cyclosiloxanes until February 2020
The cyclic siloxanes octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) were classified as SVHC in June 2018 because of their PBT/vPvB properties. In the production of linear silicones, contamination by cyclosiloxanes is currently still to be expected. For a transitional period of one year (until February 2020), cyclosiloxane contamination of silicone sealants and adhesives by up to 1.5 percent by weight is therefore permitted.

 

Proof:

Safety data sheet as amended by Regulation (EU) No 453/2010, and manufacturer's declaration.

 

All products awarded one of the following eco labels meet these criteria:

• natureplus quality label
• Österreichisches Umweltzeichen (Austrian eco label)
• Blauer Engel/Blue Angel.

Alternatively, the corresponding baubook declaration may serve as evidence (www.baubook.info/oea).