Companies must report dangerous substances

Producers and importers of articles containing substances of very high concern must notify the European Chemicals Agency of the presence of these substances. The articles affected include clothes, toys, vehicles and electronic equipment.

The obligation, which is part of REACH, the EU chemicals legislation, will ensure that industry, authorities and citizens are better informed about the use of substances of very high concern in everyday articles, the European commission said. Substances of very high concern, such as those that cause cancer, mutations or problems with reproduction are listed on the REACH Candidate List.

There are currently 46 substances on the list, which is updated regularly. After each extension of the list, companies have six months to notify the newly listed SVHCs in their articles.

Companies must also inform their customers when an article contains substances on the Candidate List in a concentration above 0.1 per cent of its mass and provide sufficient information to allow safe use of the article.