What is the SIN List vs the SVHC List?

What is the SIN list vs. the SVHC list?

REACH limits: SINs and SVHCs

Let's start with the SVHC list -- simply a list of Substances of Very High Concern. "Only the European community could come up with such a tactful term for 'highly toxic stuff,'" as a recent article in Environmental Leader put it.

There are currently 38 substances on the SVHC candidate list; the most recent additions were made in June 2010. By 2012, over 165 substances are expected to be n. The list includes substances which are:

Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to Reproduction
Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) (defined by REACH criteria), and/or
Identified as causing probable serious effects to humans or the environment of an equivalent level of concern as those above, e.g. endocrine disrupters

The latest SVHC candidate list is online here at the ECHA site, and if that site is down - as it often seems to be - go to the June 2010 SVHC candidate list hosted by Actio.

SIN list is: substances heading for the SVHC list

The SIN list helps companies and stakeholders be prepared for substances that are likely to make the SVHC list of chemicals and substances to avoid. There are more than 350 items on this list so far. As for substitutions and alternatives -- companies want to know, "What do we use instead?"

New SIN portal to provide alternatives

SUBSPORT is a new internet portal that will provide information about safer alternatives to the use of hazardous chemicals. This could be hugely helpful - just the other day this blogger was looking for substitutions for BPA/phthalates and had trouble collecting rational data. The portal aims to be the leading database for substitution worldwide. The missions statements say it will support companies in fulfilling substitution requirements of EU legislation, as well as being a resource for stakeholders such as authorities, environmental organizations, and scientific institutions. The login to the portal is here, but try link just below for general info on the portal. Login: www.subsport.eu/

New substitution project launched on 31 August 2010

SUBSPORT, the Substitution Support Portal, is a new internet portal that will provide information about safer alternatives to the use of hazardous chemicals. The substitution portal will support companies in fulfilling substitution requirements of EU legislation. It will also be a resource for other stakeholders such as authorities, environmental and consumer organizations as well as scientific institutions. During autumn 2010 a few substances will be evaluated. For 2011, the aim is to have all alternatives for approximately ten substances listed in the database together with an assessment of all common applications. -- from the launch press release.

[Correction / update as of Nov. 12, 2010: that press release just above no longer exists -- latest on the portal is here: SUBSPORT. Project looking a little feeble and unlikely, to be honest.]

The SUBSPORT project is from Kooperationsstelle Hamburg in Germany, in cooperation with ChemSec, Istas in Spain ,and Grontmij/Carl Bro in Denmark.

The database and website says it will be continuously updated with a wide range of alternatives for certain hazardous substances. The focus of the portal will be persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Many of the Subsport substances are on the SIN List.

Immediate legal obligations are linked to the listed substance on its own, in preparations and articles. But if you’re wondering which substances are likely to make the SVHC list in the future, take a look at the SIN list. It's suggested that manufacturers avoid SIN list elements.

Route to the promised land

The SIN list then, is not just a clever name! It is a list of substances that “thou shalt not” get involved with. The SIN list came about to answer the question, "What should companies avoid using today that will likely be regulated tomorrow?"

No company wants to become comfortable with a formula based on chemical-substances that will be banned next year. The SVHC lists a handful of substances NOT to use – still, companies want to know if the chosen replacements would turn up banned in the future.

The SIN list contains over 350 chemical-substances that should be replaced now. SIN means: “Substitute it NOW!”

If your in-house REACH management system hits a snag, the place to start searching for help on REACH would be the REACH Helpdesk – but you need to select the one established in the appropriate member state, according to your unique chemical portfolio. These necessary layers of expertise can be frustrating and can derail a product initiative; these convolutions of legalities are why companies turn to software for SVHC regulatory compliance.

Photo credits: www.photos8.com: Candle at Both Ends, and Mountains of Wadi Musa in Petra.

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