ECHA SVHC Candidate List Update (Feb 4, 2026): 2 New Substances Added, Total Reaches 253

On February 4, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially issued an announcement on the update of the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List. This update brings two new substances into the list, while adjusting the status of two other concerned substances. As of now, the total number of substances in the official SVHC Candidate List has increased to 253, which continues to remind enterprises exporting to the EU to strengthen their compliance management and risk control capabilities.

   I.Two New Substances Added to the SVHC Candidate List

Both newly added substances were included due to clear health hazards, covering multiple application scenarios such as formulation, polymer processing, and coatings. Enterprises involved in these fields must focus on investigating the use of these substances in their supply chains to avoid potential compliance risks brought by non-compliant products entering the EU market.

Detailed information on the two new SVHC substances is as follows:   II.One Commented Substance Withdrawn: Bisphenol F (BPF)

In this update, 4,4'-Methylenediphenol (Bisphenol F, BPF) was not included in the SVHC Candidate List, and its relevant comments have been officially withdrawn. According to ECHA’s Registry of SVHC Intentions, the status of BPF has been updated to "Withdrawn" , marking the temporary end of its SVHC identification process. Key information about BPF is as follows:

• Substance Name: 4,4'-Dihydroxydiphenylmethane (Bisphenol F, BPF) / 4,4'-Methylenediphenol
• CAS No.: 620-92-8
• Reason for Proposal: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
• Common Uses: Mainly used in the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate resins, and polyester resins; it can also be used in the production of oil-soluble phenolic resins, flame retardants, antioxidants, and surfactants.

It should be noted that although BPF has been withdrawn this time, it was previously included in the list of 34 bisphenols recommended for group restriction due to potential hormonal or reprotoxic effects . Enterprises using BPF still need to pay attention to the follow-up regulatory trends of Bisphenol Substances in the EU.

   III.Resorcinol Remains in "Pending" Status, Requiring Continuous Tracking

It is worth noting that Resorcinol, which has not been included in the official SVHC List, still maintains a "Pending" status. ECHA has not yet clarified whether it will be eventually included in the SVHC Candidate List. Relevant enterprises must closely monitor ECHA’s subsequent announcements, conduct forward-looking risk assessments, and formulate corresponding response plans in advance to avoid being caught off guard by sudden regulatory changes.

RTS Warm Reminder

The continuous update of the SVHC Candidate List fully reflects the EU’s increasingly strict regulatory trend on chemical safety and environmental health . For enterprises exporting chemicals, mixtures, or articles containing chemicals to the EU, it is crucial to take the following measures to ensure compliance:

• Proactively check and confirm whether the substances used in products (including raw materials and additives) are included in the latest SVHC List.
• If the content of any SVHC in the article exceeds 0.1% (w/w), fulfill the information transmission obligation to downstream users and consumers, and complete the SCIP notification in accordance with the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) .
• If the annual export volume of SVHC-containing products exceeds 1 ton, complete the SVHC notification to ECHA within the specified time limit .

RTS will continue to pay close attention to the latest regulatory dynamics of ECHA and other international chemical management authorities, and promptly release updated information and professional compliance guidance for enterprises. We are committed to helping enterprises effectively respond to regulatory risks and ensure the smooth circulation of products in the EU market.