UK REACH
July 8, 2026 | Written by GreenSoft Technology, Inc.
UK REACH Adds 15 New SVHCs, Officially Expanding the Candidate List
UK Aligns Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list with EU REACH
On June 15, 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) formally added 15 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the UK REACH Candidate List. This is one of the largest single‑batch expansions of the UK REACH SVHC list since Brexit.
This comes after the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) February 24 statement confirming their intent to more closely align the UK REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list with the EU REACH SVHC list.
This update is now legally in force, impacting manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of the SVHCs operating in the Great Britain market (England, Scotland and Wales), whether these substances are present on their own, in mixtures, or in articles. Separate regulatory considerations may apply in Northern Ireland.
The 15 newly added UK REACH SVHCs
The newly added substances span multiple functional groups, including flame retardants, photo‑initiators, antioxidants, solvents, dyes, and more, impacting manufacturers across electronics, textiles, coatings, adhesives, and consumer goods.
The 15 new SVHCs, as well as their reason for inclusion and common uses, are listed in the table below:
Substance/Group | Hazard Class | Example Applications |
2,2',6,6'-tetrabrom o-4,4'-isopropylide ne diphenol (TBBPA) | Carcinogenic | Epoxy coated circuit boards, printed boards, flame retardant in polymers |
BMP、TBNPA、 2,3-DBPA | Carcinogenic | One-component foams (automotive/electrical), reactive flame retardant in PU and UPE resins |
Lysmeral (and its stereoisomers) | Toxic for reproduction | Fragrance ingredient in air care, cosmetics, personal care products, polishes |
Omnirad (photo-initiator) | Toxic for reproduction | Coatings, inks/toners, printed/coated consumer articles |
DBMC (antioxidant) | Toxic for reproduction | Adhesives, fuels, hydraulic fluids, inks, lubricants, rubber, sealants |
Tetra-PSCA | Toxic for reproduction | Greases, lubricants, release products, metal working fluids |
Barium diboron tetraoxide | Toxic for reproduction | Coatings, paints, paint removers, polymer preparations, thinners |
Tetraglyme | Toxic for reproduction | Inks, toners, lithium-ion batteries, welding/soldering products |
Bis(α,α-dimethylbe nzyl) peroxide | Toxic for reproduction | Flame retardant in articles, polymers |
DOTL (dioctyltin dilaurate and related derivatives) | Toxic for reproduction | Stabiliser and catalyst in plastics and rubber |
Diphenyl(2,4,6-trim ethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide | Toxic for reproduction | Adhesives, coatings, inks, polymers, sealants; found in textiles, paper, plastics |
N-(hydroxymethyl) acrylamide | Carcinogenic and Mutagenic | Monomer for fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymers, paints and coatings |
Orthoboric acid, sodium salt | Toxic for reproduction | Potential corrosion inhibitor substitute |
Tris(2-methoxyeth oxy) vinyl silane | Toxic for reproduction | Adhesives, sealants, plastics and rubber manufacture |
Reactive Brown 51 | Toxic for reproduction | Textile dye for apparel, carpets, curtains, mattresses, etc. |
What are the obligations and notification requirements under UK REACH?
It is important to note that while the UK is increasingly aligning its Candidate List with the EU list, the UK still maintains its own enforcement timelines and notification processes.
Once a substance is placed on the UK REACH SVHC Candidate List, suppliers of the substance have legal obligations when this substance is included either on its own, in mixtures, or in articles.
Duty to communicate SVHC information in articles
Suppliers of an article containing a UK REACH Candidate List SVHC in a concentration of more than 0.1% must provide recipients with sufficient information to ensure safe use of the article. Consumers also have the right to request this information, and suppliers must respond within 45 days.
Duty to notify HSE under UK REACH
UK producers and importers of articles may be required to notify HSE when both of the following conditions are met:
- The substance is present at a concentration greater than 0.1%(w/w) in the article, and
- The substance is present in those articles in quantities totaling more than one tonne per producer or importer per year
The notification must be submitted within six months from the date the substance is included on the list. This requirement is similar in concept to EU REACH Article 7(2), but distinct from the SCIP Database, which does not exist under UK REACH.
Duty to communicate on information on substances
Suppliers of substances on the UK REACH Candidate List must provide customers with an up‑to‑date Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This ensures downstream users have current hazard and handling information.
What this UK/EU alignment means for electronics manufacturers
For electronics manufacturers, who often manage thousands of components across global supply chains, this alignment reduces complexity:
- EU REACH SVHC compliance data can often be leveraged for UK REACH compliance assessments, reducing duplicate supplier outreach
- No separate UK‑specific data collection is needed for these 15 substances
- Manufacturers should still monitor UK REACH for any future UK‑specific additions
GreenSoft Technology supports manufacturers by collecting Full Material Declaration (FMD) data, validating supplier declarations, and analyzing parts lists to identify SVHCs across both EU and UK regulatory frameworks.
How GreenSoft can help
Every new SVHC addition—EU or UK—triggers required supplier communication and data updates. GreenSoft’s Data Services and GreenData Manager (GDM) software streamline this process by:
- Collecting and validating supply chain data
- Identifying SVHCs across assemblies and finished products
- Generating compliance documentation, including SCIP Database dossiers
- Monitoring regulatory updates and notifying customers automatically
If your team needs support managing the June 2026 UK REACH update or preparing for future EU/UK SVHC additions, we’re here to help. Schedule a demo today to learn more about our solutions.
