ECHA Launches Database for Tracking Substances of Concern in Products
Under the revised European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) developed and recently launched the SCIP database containing information on Substances of Concern In articles or complex objects (Products). In this blog post, we take a look at the SCIP database and its significance.
About the SCIP Database
A key focus of the SCIP database is to facilitate a decrease in the quantity of hazardous waste in the EU via the utilization of safer alternative chemical substances in articles. It is also intended to provide relevant hazardous substance information to waste operators, allowing for the potential recycling of waste materials for use in new articles. With the SCIP database, information on Candidate List chemicals (Candidate List of substances of very high concern for authorization) present in articles is accessible during the entire product lifecycle.
The European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive requires European market businesses that introduce articles containing SVHCs (substances of very high concern) with concentrations > 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) to provide relevant information about them to the ECHA. This applies not only to manufacturers of such articles, but also to distributors and importers. Information required will include SVHC name, location, concentration, as well as article identification and other data. This requirement takes effect as of January 5th of next year.
Given the number of EU manufacturers and importers of SVHC-containing products, the relevance of the SCIP database and its requirements is significant. ECHA Executive Director Bjorn Hansen recently commented on the importance of this, noting “We need to know more about the hazardous chemicals in products so that they can be safely recycled. This is key for a better circular economy and essential to make the EU Green Deal work. The increased knowledge protects workers, citizens and the environment, helps consumers make safer choices and encourages industry to replace hazardous chemicals with safer ones. We call on industry to start submitting the data to us now and we stand ready to support them.”
More information on the ECHA's SCIP database can be found on the Agency’s website as it becomes available.
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