Is SVHC Testing the Same as REACH Certification?

1. What is the REACH Regulation?

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a comprehensive regulatory framework for the production, trade, and use of chemicals, consisting of 15 volumes and 17 annexes. REACH covers registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction, and applies to approximately 30,000 chemical products in the EU market, as well as downstream products like textiles, light industries, and pharmaceuticals.

2. Requirements of the REACH Regulation:

The EU regulation 1907/2006/EC on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) came into effect on June 1, 2007. According to REACH, EU producers or importers must notify the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and apply for registration if the concentration of a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) in a product exceeds 0.1% and the total amount of this substance in the product exceeds 1 ton per year. As of January 23, 2024, the list of SVHC has been updated to 240 substances in the 30th batch.

3. What is SVHC Testing?

SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) is a term used in the EU REACH regulation, referring to substances that pose significant risks to human health or the environment. Manufacturers and importers must notify the presence of SVHC if their concentration exceeds 0.1% (by weight) and if the total annual production or import volume exceeds 1 ton in the EU market. Additionally, if the total content of SVHC in a product exceeds certain thresholds, these substances may require authorization or restriction. The SVHC list is dynamically updated based on new scientific data and assessments.

4. Relationship Between REACH and SVHC:

REACH is the overarching EU regulation for chemicals (Regulation No. 1907/2006/EC). SVHC refers to the list of substances that require notification before REACH registration. In third-party testing, REACH testing typically means SVHC testing, where products are tested against the annually updated SVHC list, currently containing 240 substances. If the detected concentration is equal to or greater than 0.1%, notification or restriction is required. E-commerce platforms like Amazon and TEMU have REACH compliance requirements.

5. Products Requiring REACH Certification:

- Chemicals, alloys, plastics, semi-finished products, and components.

- Toys, furniture, cosmetics, stationery, pigments, paints, adhesives, and detergents.

- Textiles, clothing, footwear, leather products, and accessories.

- Electronic and electrical products, among others.

6. Duration of REACH Certification:

Typically, it takes about one week to obtain REACH certification for a product. For more complex products, the certification process may take longer.

7. Validity of REACH Certification:

There is no specific validity period for REACH certification. As long as the product has not changed since the initial certification, the REACH report remains valid indefinitely.

Consultation and Testing Services:

For inquiries and assistance with REACH certification and SVHC testing, contact China JJR Laboratory. We are an IEC 17025 accredited laboratory located in China, providing cost-effective certification and testing services, helping businesses save 30% on certification fees.