EU REACH SVHC Obligations: Chemical Compliance for E-Commerce Sellers
Updated 2026-08-03
EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) requires businesses selling chemical products or articles containing chemicals in the EU to ensure compliance with substance restrictions. Articles containing more than 0.1% weight-by-weight of a Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) on the Candidate List must be communicated to recipients, and ECHA must be notified.
Primary sources
This page is grounded in the primary materials below. Rules change, so open the source and confirm the current version before acting.
FAQ
What is REACH and who does it apply to?+
REACH is the EU regulation on chemicals (EC 1907/2006) that applies to all manufacturers, importers, and downstream users of chemical substances in the EU. For e-commerce sellers, if you import articles (finished products) into the EU, you are considered an importer and must ensure compliance. This includes products sold through online marketplaces.
What are Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)?+
SVHCs are substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment, including carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins (CMRs), persistent bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBTs), and substances of equivalent concern. The Candidate List is updated twice yearly by ECHA and currently contains over 240 substances.
What does the 0.1% SVHC threshold mean for my products?+
If any article you supply contains more than 0.1% weight-by-weight of any SVHC on the Candidate List, you must inform recipients (customers, marketplaces) about the substance and provide instructions for safe use. You must also notify ECHA if the substance is present above 0.1% and the total volume exceeds 1 tonne per year.
How do I check if my products contain SVHCs?+
Request compliance declarations from your suppliers, including material safety data sheets and REACH compliance certificates. You can also use ECHA's SCIP database (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects - Products) to check if products have been notified. For complex supply chains, consider third-party testing.
What is the SCIP database?+
The SCIP (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects - Products) database is maintained by ECHA and contains information on articles placed on the EU market that contain SVHCs above 0.1%. Suppliers must submit SCIP notifications for articles containing Candidate List substances. The database is publicly searchable.
Are there specific REACH restrictions for certain product categories?+
Yes, REACH Annex XVII contains specific restrictions for certain substances in certain products. For example, lead in jewelry is restricted, phthalates in toys and childcare articles are restricted, and nickel in jewelry and clothing accessories has migration limits. E-commerce sellers must check Annex XVII for product-specific restrictions.
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