EU REACH Appendix 17 Hazardous Substances Detection

After the implementation of the EU new chemicals act (REACH) in 2007, the substantive contents were announced one after another, and the impact on the manufacturing industry was also increasing. Among them, the provisions of REACH appendix 17 limiting the use of hazardous substances were more stringent than those of SVHC. However, they were later implemented and more cumbersome, which did not cause manufacturers' attention.

In October 2008 and January 2010, the EU Chemical General Administration announced two high degree of concern substances (SVHC), with a total individual content of no more than 0.1% (W/W).

If it does not conform, it must take the action of material information disclosure and notification.

In contrast, the restricted substances in Appendix 17 means that products must not be detected or not allowed to exceed the limit concentration. If they do not meet the requirements, they must be immediately removed from the shelves, which is more stringent than those of high attention substances.

The specification of appendix 17 is derived from the former EU Hazardous Substances Directive 76/769/EC and Its Amendment Act. It is an old and constantly updated and new regulation. Hundreds of hazardous chemicals are listed among them. Therefore, for manufacturers, they will be at a loss.

In fact, when the traditional manufacturers in the past exported toys, textiles, footwear, food containers and other products to Europe, most European buyers would ask for a relatively non-toxic test report or certificate of qualification. These requirements have been in operation for many years and almost all have been included in Appendix 17 of REACH. With a slight recognition of other new banned or restricted harmful substances, they can meet the requirements of appendix 17.

Since the formal implementation of appendix 17 of REACH in June 2009, there have been nearly 150 reports in the European Union in just over seven months, which do not conform to the appendix 17 specification of REACH.

From 2010 to early February only five weeks, 26 items were notified by the market inspection mechanism, which did not comply with appendix 17 of REACH.

The relevant manufacturers must face up to this requirement in order to avoid goodwill and substantial losses.