FLUKE
Kimball Electronics
Tolomatic
Industrial Scientific
AHEAD
roboception
FLUKE
Kimball Electronics
Tolomatic
Industrial Scientific
AHEAD
roboception
By Deepa Shetty | Sat Sep 30 2023 | 2 min read

Table of Contents

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced the 34th update of the REACH Candidate List, officially adding one new Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) on November 5, 2025. With this inclusion, the Candidate List now contains 251 entries though some are group entries covering multiple chemicals, meaning the actual number of affected substances is higher.

The new addition, 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE), was identified as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) under Article 57(e) of REACH. This addition marks another significant step in ECHA’s ongoing work to manage and potentially restrict brominated flame retardants due to their long-term environmental and health impacts.

What Was Added – November 2025 SVHC Update

What Was Added – November 2025 SVHC Update.PNG

Date of inclusion: November 5, 2025 Committee decision: Confirmed by ECHA’s Member State Committee in October 2025

REACH SVHC Timeline Snapshot (Jan–Nov 2025)

REACH SVHC Timeline Snapshot (Jan–Nov 2025).PNG

Why It Matters

DBDPE is used widely across electrical and electronic equipment, building materials, and textiles as a flame retardant. However, its persistence in the environment and tendency to accumulate in living organisms raise serious concerns.

Its inclusion on the Candidate List is expected to pave the way for:

  • Future restrictions under REACH
  • Possible Authorisation List (Annex XIV) inclusion
  • Broader regulatory attention to brominated flame retardant groups

What This Means for You

If any of your products, mixtures, or articles contain DBDPE above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w), you now have specific legal duties under REACH and the Waste Framework Directive:

  • Article 33: Inform downstream users and consumers about safe use of the article.
  • Article 7(2): Notify ECHA within 6 months of inclusion — by May 5, 2026.
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Update with the latest SVHC information.
  • SCIP database: Submit notification if articles contain DBDPE above 0.1% (w/w).

Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action, market withdrawal, or loss of EU market access.

What Happens Next

ECHA and the European Commission will now evaluate DBDPE for possible inclusion on the Authorisation List (Annex XIV) or future restriction proposals.

Companies should start preparing now by:

  • Assessing whether DBDPE is present in any formulations or components;
  • Evaluating alternatives and safer substitutes;
  • Updating internal databases, supplier declarations, and SCIP records;
  • Tracking all regulatory proposals related to brominated flame retardants.

This move signals the EU’s continued tightening around persistent organic pollutants and legacy flame retardants.

How to Stay Compliant

Here’s what your compliance team should prioritize right now:

Screen your BOMs and supplier declarations for DBDPE presence. Request updated documentation (FMDs, SDS, IPC-1752A, or IEC 62474). Notify ECHA if applicable within the six-month window. Update SCIP submissions to reflect this SVHC addition. Communicate SVHC information transparently down your supply chain.

Related REACH Resources

How Acquis Helps with REACH Compliance

Acquis Compliance provides automated solutions to help you stay ahead of REACH and SVHC obligations:

  • Automated Compliance Tracking – Real-time SVHC monitoring and update alerts.
  • SCIP Reporting Automation – Streamline notifications with pre-validated data.
  • Supplier Declaration Management – Request, verify, and centralize supplier documents.
  • Bill of Materials (BOM) Analysis – Detect affected parts and components instantly.
  • Regulatory Intelligence & Alerts – Get notified when your substances are added or restricted.

The Final Word

With DBDPE’s addition, the Candidate List reaches 251 substances, and the regulatory direction is clear — more brominated flame retardants are under scrutiny.

If your products still contain DBDPE or similar legacy flame retardants, now is the time to act, substitute, and document before enforcement tightens.

Book a Demo with Acquis Compliance Stay compliant and confident with automated REACH and SVHC tracking. Book a demo or contact our team to learn how Acquis can streamline your REACH management.

Topics

REACHBulletinEuropean Union Regulations

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REACH Candidate List Hits 250 SVHCs — What You Must Know (June 2025 Update)

The REACH Candidate List identifies Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) that pose serious risks to human health or the environment. As of June 25 2025, the list now includes 250 substances , following the addition of three new SVHCs based on their vPvB and reproductive toxicity (Repr. 1B) properties. This update triggers new communication and notification duties for manufacturers and importers under Articles 7 and 33 of REACH.
ECHA added three widely used substances, primarily found in silicones, dyes, and consumer goods. Each was listed due to its very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB) or toxic-for-reproduction profile. Companies must identify whether any of these appear in their articles or mixtures above 0.1 % w/w and, if so, act within six months.
Article 33: Inform downstream users and consumers when SVHCs exceed 0.1 % w/w in articles. Article 7(2): Notify ECHA of such substances within six months (→ by December 25 2025). Waste Framework Directive: Submit a SCIP database notification for affected articles. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to market restrictions, recalls, and penalties across the EU.
Even non-EU companies that sell to EU markets are impacted. They must ensure their importers and EU representatives update compliance files, SDS, and technical documentation. Non-compliance risks customs holds and reputational damage under the EU Green Deal framework .
The SCIP database (Substances of Concern in Products) is managed by ECHA under the EU Waste Framework Directive. Any company placing articles with SVHCs > 0.1 % w/w on the EU market must submit a SCIP notification to support circular-economy transparency and waste traceability.
Rescreen BOMs for the three new SVHCs. Request updated supplier declarations (IPC-1752A / IEC 62474 formats). Update Safety Data Sheets and technical files. Submit SCIP notifications by the deadline. Monitor future restrictions — newly added SVHCs often move to Annex XIV or XVII.
Automated SVHC Screening: Instantly identify high-risk materials in BOMs. SCIP Reporting Automation: Generate and submit compliant notifications. Supplier Engagement: Collect verified CoCs and FMDs at scale. Regulatory Monitoring: Get alerts for future Candidate List or Annex changes. Centralized Documentation: Maintain audit-ready records for REACH, RoHS, and PFAS compliance.
ECHA typically updates the Candidate List twice a year (January and June) following public consultations. The next update is anticipated in January 2026, with new proposals already under review. Early monitoring ensures suppliers can prepare declarations and avoid compliance gaps.