As global concerns about environmental protection and human health continue to grow, SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing has become increasingly critical across industries. For manufacturers, understanding the SVHC candidate list updates and compliance requirements is now essential. Today, Huabiao Testing explains what SVHC testing entails and how to conduct SVHC testing for ink.
SVHC Testing Overview
SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing is a key component of the EU REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006), aimed at identifying and controlling chemicals that may pose significant risks to human health or the environment. For inks used in printing (e.g., packaging, textiles, or labels), SVHC testing assesses the chemical composition, toxicity, and safety to ensure no harmful substances are released during production or use. This certification is essential for ink manufacturers seeking access to international markets, particularly the EU, ensuring compliance and consumer safety.
SVHC Candidate List
Maintained by: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Status: As of January 2025, the list includes 247 substances (updated January 21, 2025, with the 33rd batch adding 5 substances).
Characteristics: Substances are listed due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxicity, persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic (PBT/vPvB) properties.
Examples Relevant to Ink:
Phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP): Used as plasticizers in ink formulations.
Heavy Metals (e.g., lead, cadmium): Found in pigments or additives.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Present in carbon-based inks or solvents.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): In solvents or drying agents.
Azo Dyes: May release carcinogenic amines in colored inks.
Regulatory Requirements
Concentration Threshold: If any SVHC exceeds 0.1% w/w in an article or preparation (e.g., ink), suppliers must notify downstream users (e.g., printers, retailers). If annual exports exceed 1 ton, notification to ECHA is required.
Information Disclosure: Companies must respond to consumer or client inquiries about SVHCs within 45 days (REACH Article 33).
Annex XVII Restrictions: Some ink-related substances (e.g., azo dyes ≤30 mg/kg, PAHs ≤1 mg/kg) are restricted under REACH Annex XVII.
SCIP Database: Articles with SVHC >0.1% placed on the EU market must be reported to ECHA’s SCIP database.
How to Conduct SVHC Testing for Ink
1. Product Identification
Determine SVHC Relevance: Identify if the ink may contain SVHC substances based on its composition. Common ink components at risk include:
Heavy Metals: Lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium in pigments or stabilizers.
Phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP in flexible or UV-curable inks.
PAHs: In carbon black or petroleum-based inks.
VOCs: In solvent-based inks (e.g., toluene, xylene).
Azo Compounds: In colored inks, potentially releasing carcinogenic amines.
Ink Types: Assess water-based, solvent-based, UV-curable, or oil-based inks, as each may have different SVHC risks.
Applications: Consider end-use (e.g., food packaging, children’s products, textiles), as food contact or children’s products require stricter testing (e.g., migration tests, EN 71-3).
2. Choose a Professional Testing Agency
Consultation: Contact an accredited laboratory like Huabiao Testing to define the testing scope. Provide details on ink type, intended use (e.g., packaging, labels), and target markets (e.g., EU, U.S., Amazon).
Accreditation: Ensure the lab is CMA/CNAS accredited for internationally recognized results, as offered by Huabiao Testing.
3. Submit Samples and Documentation
Samples: Provide 2–3 ink samples (e.g., 100–200 mL per batch) or printed substrates (e.g., paper, plastic) if testing cured ink.
Documentation: Submit:
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or composition list (pigments, solvents, additives).
Manufacturing process details (e.g., curing method, drying agents).
Intended use (e.g., food contact, children’s products) to determine additional tests (e.g., Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for food contact).
4. Testing Analysis
Testing Scope:
Food Contact: Migration testing per EU No 1935/2004 or LFGB (e.g., ≤10 mg/dm²).
Children’s Products: EN 71-3 (migration of 19 elements, e.g., lead ≤23.9 mg/kg) or CPSIA (lead ≤100 ppm, phthalates ≤0.1%).
SVHC Screening: Test 20–50 high-risk substances (e.g., phthalates, heavy metals, PAHs) or all 247 SVHCs for strict clients or high-risk inks.
Annex XVII: Test restricted substances relevant to inks (e.g., azo dyes ≤30 mg/kg, PAHs ≤1 mg/kg, DMF ≤0.1%).
Additional Tests (if applicable):
Methods:
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): Screens heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury).
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Detects phthalates, PAHs, VOCs, and azo dyes.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Analyzes formaldehyde, azo compounds, and polar SVHCs.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Quantifies metals with high precision (detection limit 0.01 mg/kg).
UV-Vis Spectrophotometry: Measures hexavalent chromium or specific dyes.
Procedure:
Liquid inks are tested directly; cured inks on substrates are extracted or scraped for analysis.
Each component (e.g., pigment, solvent, additive) is assessed as a homogeneous material to ensure SVHC ≤0.1% w/w.
5. Report Issuance
Report Content:
Detailed results for each SVHC tested, including concentrations and compliance status (≤0.1% w/w).
Annex XVII results (e.g., azo dyes, PAHs) with specific limits.
Compliance statement for REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
Non-Compliance: If SVHC >0.1%, the lab provides reformulation guidance (e.g., substitute phthalates with safer plasticizers).
Usage: The report supports:
REACH Declaration of Conformity.
SCIP database submission (if SVHC >0.1%).
Buyer or platform requirements (e.g., Amazon EU).
6. Review and Submission
Internal Review: Verify the report for accuracy and completeness.
Submission: Provide the report to:
EU regulators or notified bodies (if required).
Downstream users (e.g., printers, retailers) to confirm compliance.
E-commerce platforms like Amazon (for EU listings).
SCIP Notification: If SVHC >0.1%, submit article details to ECHA’s SCIP database within 6 months of market placement.
Why Choose Huabiao Testing?
Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive SVHC testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.
