What is the Difference Between SVHC and REACH?
With increasing global consumer focus on health and environmental concerns, the European Union introduced the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in 2007 to enhance the safety management of chemicals and reduce the impact of harmful substances on human health and the environment. REACH testing ensures that chemicals produced and sold by companies comply with this regulation. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing explains the difference between SVHC and REACH.
What is REACH Testing?
Full Name: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.
Definition: A comprehensive EU regulation governing the entire lifecycle of chemicals, including registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction, and information communication.
Objective: Ensure the safe use of chemicals, minimize risks to human health and the environment, and promote the substitution of hazardous substances with safer alternatives.
Scope: Applies to all chemical substances manufactured, imported, or used in the EU, including those in mixtures, articles (e.g., products like toys, electronics), and standalone chemicals.
Key Requirements:
Registration: Companies must register substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Evaluation: ECHA assesses registered substances for safety.
Authorisation: Highly hazardous substances (e.g., SVHCs) require authorisation for use.
Restriction: Bans or limits the use of certain hazardous substances.
What is SVHC Testing?
Full Name: Substances of Very High Concern.
Definition: A specific category of chemical substances under REACH, identified for their severe potential hazards, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. These substances are listed on the SVHC Candidate List, which is updated biannually by ECHA (containing 247 substances as of May 2025).
Role in REACH: SVHCs are part of REACH’s authorisation process, requiring special attention and control. If a substance is on the SVHC list, it may eventually require authorisation or be restricted.
Key Obligations:
If an article (e.g., a toy or electronic device) contains an SVHC above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w), companies must notify ECHA and inform customers.
If the total SVHC content exceeds 0.1% (w/w) and the annual export to the EU exceeds 1 ton, registration with ECHA is required.
Differences Between SVHC and REACH
Aspect
REACH
SVHC
Definition | A comprehensive regulation covering all aspects of chemical management. | A specific subset of hazardous substances within REACH, listed for high concern. |
Scope | Applies to all chemicals (substances, mixtures, articles) in the EU market. | Focuses on specific substances on the SVHC Candidate List (e.g., phthalates, lead compounds). |
Purpose | Ensures safe use, registration, evaluation, restriction, and substitution of chemicals. | Identifies and controls substances with severe health or environmental risks. |
Compliance Requirement | Mandatory for all chemical substances manufactured, imported, or sold in the EU. | Conditional: Mandatory only if SVHCs are present above 0.1% (w/w) in articles or exceed 1 ton/year export. |
Testing Focus | Broad testing for chemical properties, safety, and compliance with REACH obligations. | Targeted testing to detect and quantify SVHCs in products or materials. |
Application | Covers the entire supply chain, including registration, documentation, and restrictions. | Part of REACH’s authorisation process, requiring notification or substitution. |
Market Relevance | Mandatory for all EU market chemical-related products to ensure compliance. | May be optional in some cases, depending on market or customer demands, unless SVHCs are present. |
Practical Implications
REACH Testing:
Mandatory for all companies involved in the EU supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
Ensures compliance with registration, restriction, and information requirements across the chemical lifecycle.
Example: A company exporting electronics to the EU must register substances in components and ensure compliance with restricted substance limits.
SVHC Testing:
Focuses on identifying whether specific high-risk substances are present in products.
Required only if SVHCs are suspected or confirmed in articles above the 0.1% (w/w) threshold.
Example: A toy containing a plastic component with a phthalate (an SVHC) above 0.1% requires SVHC testing, notification to ECHA, and customer disclosure.
Market Context:
REACH compliance is a prerequisite for selling any chemical-related product in the EU, ensuring broad regulatory adherence.
SVHC testing may be driven by specific customer or market demands, especially for high-risk products like toys, textiles, or electronics, even if not always mandatory. However, it becomes critical when SVHCs are present to avoid penalties or market restrictions.
Recommended Testing Agency
Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd. is a leading third-party testing agency offering comprehensive REACH and SVHC testing solutions. Key advantages include:
Accreditation: CMA/CNAS qualifications, ensuring internationally recognized test reports.
Expertise: Extensive experience with REACH compliance and SVHC testing for products like toys, electronics, and textiles.
Advanced Equipment: Utilizes GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) for precise SVHC detection.
Comprehensive Services: Supports registration, testing, notification, and compliance documentation.
Global Credibility: Test reports meet EU regulatory requirements, facilitating market access.
Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides complete REACH and SVHC testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.
