For the first time, company part and substance of very high concern (SVHC) data is readily available to the public, competitors, and investors through a new portal that launched in September 2021. The Substances of Concern In articles, as such or in complex objects (Products) (SCIP) Dissemination Portal will display much of the information submitted to the SCIP database. Under the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD), companies are legally obligated to submit to the database when parts contain SVHCs above threshold.
The availability of the data puts new reputational pressures on companies to comply with EU WFD and may encourage the accelerated removal of SVHCs from the supply chain.
The searchable fields include article name, the names of products and associated lower level articles, and SVHC substance information.
Designed to allow regulators and waste stream operators reduce exposure to hazardous substances, the portal is also searchable by:
- Consumers.
- Media.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Investors.
- Competitors.
- Shareholds.
- Additional stakeholders.
To ensure confidentiality, some data submitted to the SCIP database is withheld from the Dissemination Portal to keep links between actors in the supply chain private.
SCIP Database Requirements
As of January 5, 2021, manufacturers, importers, and distributors of articles in the EU must submit dossiers to the SCIP database when those articles contain SVHCs above a 0.1 percent weight over weight threshold. The dossiers include comprehensive information about the article, SVHCs, and the company involved in its manufacture and they are expected to be kept up to date, requiring companies to perform ongoing maintenance as SVHCs are added to the REACH Candidate List, or other changes occur.
The Dissemination Portal is the next step toward greater transparency in commerce, as granular part and substance data will now be readily available to consumers, competitors, and the general public.
Evolving Requirements
Since 2006, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation has required that companies doing business in the EU disclose the presence of SVHCs in articles above threshold to downstream customers. An article is defined as a part or product with a specific shape or function. Once considered an article, a part is always considered an article, meaning even when it comprises a new product, the part must still abide by per article requirements.
The Candidate List of SVHCs updates twice per year. Producers and importers of articles have six months from a substance’s inclusion on this list to execute their obligations.
Meeting New Requirements
Expanding requirements carry expanding costs for companies. Accurate supply chain data can be difficult to acquire, and the larger the supply chain, the higher the risk of fines or other enforcement actions as a result of human error or inaccurate data.
Assent helps companies meet their regulatory requirements by pairing advanced supply chain engagement technology with dedicated service. Informed by regulatory experts, we help companies get the data they need and analyze it for risks. Configurable dashboards make it easy to see the whole picture of a product, down to the lowest article level, so you are prepared for your SCIP and REACH requirements.
To learn more, contact our experts today.
