The databases provided under the header general information are not immediately relevant to possible substitution activities but provide a good starting point when searching for information on chemicals. The search engine ECHA CHEM can be searched with the name of the chemical but is better searched with numerical identifiers such as the CAS or the EC number of the substance for which you seek information.
As a search output a so-called ‘infocard’ appears which provides the most relevant information such as the hazard classification and labelling, the property of concern or the regulations and regulatory activities, to name only a few examples. This concise presentation of relevant information about the substance is a summary of all key information in plain English.
The brief profile, which can be found when clicking on the small symbol (BP), provides you with additional information on the environmental, human health and physico-chemical properties of the chemical.

ECHA Infocards
Brief profile

Registered substances

The information in the database was provided by companies in their REACH registration dossiers. A variety of information on the substances which companies manufacture or import can be found: their hazardous properties, their classification and labelling and how to use the substances safely, for example.
The last deadline to register phase-in substances in the low tonnage range of above 1 tonne to 100 tonnes will expire in May 2018 but this does not mean that this process is finished as new registrations (non-phase in substances or phase-in substances for which the next tonnage threshold was reached) may still be received by ECHA.

CoRAP (Community Rolling Action Plan)

The CoRAP is the list of registered substances that have been selected for substance evaluation. Substances are selected if there is a concern of a possible risk for human health or the environment.
Every year, new substances are added and prioritisation of substances shall be risk based. In many cases, the initial concerns are related to potential persistency, bioaccumulation and toxicity (PBT), endocrine disruption, or carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and toxicity to reproduction; in combination with wide dispersive use or consumer uses.
In general, the uses of these substances cover various areas and are not focusing on any particular industrial, professional or consumer uses.

PACT – RMOA and hazard assessment activities

The Public Activities Coordination Tool (PACT) lists all substances for which an informal hazard assessment or a risk management option analysis (RMOA) is being developed or has been completed with the aim to identify potential SVHC.
The listing of a substance in the PACT can be seen as a very early warning for companies allowing stakeholders to prepare for possible future requirements well in advance. New chemicals are added to the PACT on a regular basis.

Registry of SVHC intentions

ECHA (at the request of the Commission) or Member States may prepare dossiers for the identification of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) and inclusion in the Candidate list for authorisation.
The goal of the public Registry of Intentions is to make interested parties aware of the substances for which an SVHC dossier is in the preparation to be submitted or which has been submitted – listing is thus an early warning.

Candidate List

Substances officially identified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) are included in the so-called Candidate List for authorisation. Substances may be identified as SVHC according to the criteria of article 57a-f REACH, i.e. carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR), persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent or very bioaccumulative (vPvB), or having properties rising equivalent level of concern, e.g. endocrine disrupting properties.
According to the Commissions SVHC Roadmap, all known and relevant SVHC are to be identified until 2020 and this may include also substances less regulated so far, e.g. sensitisers. Further information is available under ECHA’s website section on substances of potential concern. SVHC placed on the candidate list may still be used but their inclusion may already trigger legal obligations.

Substances in Articles

Producers and importers have to notify to ECHA the substances listed on the Candidate list which are present in their articles, if both the following conditions are met:

• The substance is present in their relevant articles above a concentration of 0.1% weight by weight.
• The substance is present in these relevant articles in quantities totalling over one tonne per year.

Companies have to notify no later than six months after the inclusion of the substance in the Candidate List.

Draft Recommendation for Inclusion Annex XIV

Submitted Recommendation for Inclusion Annex XIV

Authorisation list - Annex XIV REACH

Annex XIV REACH is the Authorisation list of the REACH Regulation following the identification of a substance as SVHC, a substance on the candidate list may be included in Annex XIV REACH and becomes subject to authorisation. If an SVHC is placed on the Authorisation list, companies may send an application to ECHA requesting the authorisation for specified uses.
Without authorisation granted, the chemical may not be used anymore. The aim of REACH authorisation is to progressively replace SVHC. An authorisation can only be granted if no alternatives are available.

Applications for authorisation - Current consultations

If an SVHC is placed on the REACH Authorisation list, companies may only use the substance if an application for authorisation has been submitted to ECHA and the authorisation has been granted by the Commission. The application for authorisation process includes a period of public consultation and last for eight weeks.
Anyone can provide information on alternative substances or technologies for the uses of Annex XIV substances included in applications for authorisation. Those most likely to be interested are companies, organisations representing industry or civil society, individual citizens, as well as public authorities.
Companies seeking for alternatives to these SVHC may consult the submitted applications for authorisation, which include an analysis of alternatives.

Adopted opinions of the Committee for Risk Assessment and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis on applications for authorisation

ECHA´s Risk Assessment Committee, the RAC, evaluates the submitted Application for Authorisation, describing the risk and risk management measures related to a continued use of an Annex XIV listed SVHC. This includes the assessment of comments submitted by third parties and risks posed by potential alternative substances and technologies.
ECHA´s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis, the SEAC, evaluates the socio-economic impact of the continued use and the non-use scenario submitted with an application for authorisation on the use of a substance.

Registry of restriction intentions

Member States Competent Authorities (MSCAs) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on request by the Commission may prepare an official proposal (REACH Annex XV dossiers) for restrictions of substances.
The goal of the public Registry of Intentions is to make interested parties aware of the substances for which a restriction dossier is in the preparation to be submitted or which has been submitted – listing is thus an early warning.

Adopted opinions of the Committee for Risk Assessment and the Committee for Socio-Economic Assessment on restriction proposals

ECHA´s Risk Assessment Committee, the RAC, evaluates whether the proposed restriction on manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance is appropriate in reducing the risk to human health and the environment. This includes the assessment of comments submitted by third parties.
ECHA´s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis, the SEAC, evaluates the socio-economic impact of the proposed restriction on manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance. This includes the assessment of comments and socio-economic analyses submitted by third parties.

REACH Annex XVII - Restrictions

If a chemical poses an unacceptable risk that needs to be addressed on an EU-wide basis, a Member State or ECHA (on request of the Commission) may propose a restriction on the manufacturing, placing on the market or the use of that chemical of concern. Restricted substances and conditions of their restriction are listed in Annex XVII REACH.

C&L inventory

This database contains CLP classification and labelling (C&L) information on notified and registered substances received from manufacturers and importers (presented with a yellow background). It also includes the list of harmonised classifications (presented with a blue background).
For hazards of highest concern (carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity (CMR) and respiratory sensitisers) and for other substances on a case-by-case basis, classification and labelling should be harmonised throughout the EU to ensure an adequate risk management. This is done through harmonised classification and labelling (CLH). A harmonised C&L (CLH) is legally binding and included in Annex VI to CLP.
It should be emphasised that any manufacturer or importer of a substance has to notify the substance, irrespective of its quantity, when it is classified as hazardous. Also, importers have to notify an imported mixture containing a substance that is classified as hazardous and is present above the relevant concentration limit, which results in the classification of the mixture as hazardous according to the CLP Regulation. If a manufacturer or an importer has already submitted a registration dossier under REACH for a substance he does not have to submit a separate C&L notification because the information requested for the notification have already been provided in the registration dossier.

Registry of CLH intention until outcome

Member States Competent Authorities (MSCAs) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on request by the Commission may prepare an official proposal (REACH Annex XV dossiers) for a harmonised classification of a substance.
The goal of the public Registry of Intentions is to make interested parties aware of the substances for which a harmonised classification is in preparation to be submitted or which has been submitted – listing is thus an early warning.

Adopted opinions of the Committee for Risk Assessment on CLH-proposals

The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) examines the proposals for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) and gives an opinion on the proposed harmonised classification of substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction or as a respiratory sensitiser, as well as other effects on a case-by-case basis.
The opinion on the CLH proposal has to be adopted by RAC within 18 months of receipt of a CLH dossier that fulfils the CLP requirements.

RISCTOX Database on toxic and hazardous substances

RISCTOX is a database of hazardous substances developed by the Spanish Trade Union Institute ISTAS commissioned by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and supported by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) to provide information about identified health and environmental risks caused by chemicals used at the workplace.
The database allows substance search to access data cards on around 100,000- chemicals specifying classification and labelling, main uses at work place, and caused occupational diseases. It also provides background information on intrinsic substance properties, relevant legislation and lists of substances of concern, e.g. lists for carcinogens and mutagens, PBT/vPvB substances or potential endocrine disruptors. The tool also provides lists on currently less regulated substances like sensitisers and neurotoxins. These lists are no official regulatory list and thus have no legal implications.

SIN - Substitute It Now List Database

The SIN (Substitute It Now!) List is an NGO driven project promoting substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives. The SIN List consists of 913 chemicals that ChemSec has identified as Substances of Very High Concern based on the criteria established by the REACH regulation. The SIN List is no official regulatory list and thus has no legal implications.

Trade Union Priority List

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) established the Trade Union Priority List (TUPL) including in its 2.0 version 334 substances or groups of substances ordered by priority, and which should have priority for inclusion in the REACH candidate list and potentially in the authorisation list (REACH Annex XIV). The TUPL is no official regulatory list and thus has no immediately legal implications.

SUBSPORT - Substitution Support Portal

SUBSPORT is a free-of-charge, multilingual platform for the exchange of information on alternative substances and technologies, as well as tools and guidance for substance evaluation and substitution management.
The portal includes a database on restricted and priority substances and a case story database on substitution examples.

OECD Toolbox on alternative assessment and substitution

The OECD has created a Substitution and Alternatives Assessment Toolbox with the aim of supporting decision making for the substitution of chemicals of concern. The OECD toolbox can be described as a compilation of resources that are relevant for the substitution of chemicals and the assessment of possible alternatives. The interface of the toolbox contains four resources ranging from an Alternatives Assessment Tool Selector to a list of regulations and restrictions throughout OECD member countries that can be seen as the driving force behind a search for a suitable alternative.

OECD eChemPortal

You may find further information of chemicals and chemical categories in the OECD eChem portal.