Content of Substances of Very High Concern (Candidate List)

Request a record of substances from the Candidate List that are used in the products at a level above 0.1% by weight.

Check that the supplier has procedures in place for ensuring that information about substances of very high concern is kept up to date as new substances are added to the Candidate List, and for forwarding such information to the contracting organisation.

Random sample technical documentation from manufacturers and material suppliers.

During follow-up meetings, the substances of very high concern included in the products can be considered, along with the percentage level with which they are included and how updates to the Candidate List affect the contracted products.

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body

If a verified self-declaration is used to prove that the requirement is fulfilled, request the supplier’s self-declaration, including documentation showing that the requirement is met. The self-declaration shall be verified by a verification body accredited for the task in accordance with ISO / IEC 17029 or equivalent standard. 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes a list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). This list is called the Candidate List, Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. These substances may be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), as well as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic to the environment (PBT). The latest list is available on the ECHA's website.

When selling to a professional customer, such as a contracting organisation, suppliers or resellers are legally obliged to be able to provide details about substances on the Candidate List that are found in products at a level above 0.1% by weight. This special contract term aims to ensure that suppliers provide information about hazardous substances found in contracted products.

The purpose of this requirement is to have information provided about substances of very high concern. Suppliers and resellers are required by law to be able to provide information about substances included in the Candidate List that can be found in their products at a level above 0.1% by weight. In addition to the provision of information about hazardous substances used in the contracted products, this requirement obliges suppliers to notify the contracting organisation if any new substances that are added to the Candidate List are found in their products.

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.