The EU Project AskREACH raises awareness of what are termed “substances of very high concern” (SVHCs) in products amongst the public at large as well as trade and industry circles throughout Europe.
According to the German Federal Environment Agency, sports articles were tested for harmful substances via the project.
82 samples from 13 European countries were tested for SVHCs. These include some plasticizers, flame retardants, heavy metals and alkylphenols, amongst others. Products such as gymnastic balls, yoga mats, dumbbells, skipping ropes, swimming equipment, water bottles and gymnastic shoes were tested. Eleven per cent of the product tested contained substances of very high concern in a concentration above 0.1%, which means that they fall under the obligation to supply information according to the European chemicals regulation REACH. Seven products tested contained the plasticizers DEHP or DIBP. Consumer products containing these substances in concentrations above 0.1% have no longer been allowed to be placed on the market for the first time in the EU since July 2020.
The AskReach database was created well before the now mandatory SCIP database of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) for voluntary use by EU distributors. The market investigations now carried out increase the pressure on the distributors of the products in respect of SVHC reviews.
Our recommendation: Obtain an overview of the chemical ingredients of your products in good time.
trade-e-bility offers a risk-based approach for assessment of SVHC contamination of products, helping you to keep your hedging and laboratory costs under control.
Our consultancy team will be pleased to answer any questions you may have:
Please do not hesitate to call trade-e-bility on +49/40/75068730-0 or send an e-mail message to beratung@trade-e-bility.de.
