EU REACH
February 11, 2026 | Written by GreenSoft Technology, Inc.
EU REACH SVHC Update: 2 New Substances Added to Candidate List (SVHC-253)
ECHA Adds n-hexane and Bisphenol AF (BPAF) to Substances of Very High Concern List
On February 4, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) expanded the EU REACH SVHC Candidate List to 253 entries by adding two hazardous chemicals: n-hexane and Bisphenol AF (BPAF). This update triggers immediate legal obligations for companies whose products contain these substances above the stated threshold, including customer notification requirements and SCIP Database submissions.
ECHA’s announcement of the SVHC additions and the full SVHC-253 list can be found on their website. The last prior addition to the SVHC list was SVHC-251 in November 2025.
What are the New Chemicals on the SVHC Candidate List?
The 2 new substances, as well as their reason for inclusion and common uses, are listed in the table below:
|
Substance Name |
EC Number |
CAS Number |
Reason for Proposing |
Examples of use(s) in Electronics |
|
n-hexane |
203-777-6 |
110-54-3 |
Specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure (Article 57(f) - human health) |
Cleaning agents for phone screens, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and components to remove grease, oils, and flux residues |
|
4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts (Commonly known as Bisphenol AF (BPAF)) |
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c) |
Curing agent for fluoroelastomers (seals/O-rings), and monomers for high-temp polyimides. |
What these SVHC Updates Mean for Electronics Manufacturers
N-hexane is a well-known solvent used to remove grease, oils, and flux residues. For the electronics industry, this means checking for residual solvents in cleaned Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) or adhesive applications. BPAF, a "toxic for reproduction" substance, is frequently found in high-performance fluoroelastomers used in cabling and seals. If these substances exceed 0.1% weight by weight in your product, you must notify ECHA through submissions to the SCIP Database. GreenSoft Technology can help with this process as part of our Data Services.
How to Maintain Compliance with SVHC-253
New substances are added to the EU REACH SVHC List every 6 months, making compliance a moving target. Affected companies are forced to re-evaluate their product compliance and possibly re-collect substance data from their suppliers with each update. For electronics manufacturers, SVHC-253 requires an immediate review of your supply chain data to identify if n-hexane or BPAF are present in your components.
GreenSoft Technology simplifies this process by handling the heavy lifting of regulatory tracking and supply chain data collection. We provide comprehensive EU REACH data services that ensure your products remain compliant as the SVHC list grows. Our team specializes in:
- Proactive Data Collection: We prioritize collecting Full Material Declaration (FMD) data from your suppliers over certificates of compliance (CoCs), so you don’t have to re-collect with every SVHC update.
- Substance Calculations and Report Generation: We analyze your parts list to identify reportable SVHCs and provide the documentation you need for compliance.
- SCIP Database Submissions: We generate your SCIP dossiers for direct upload to the SCIP Database, and we can even submit them for you if you choose.
- Regulatory Guidance: Our team tracks, analyzes, and advises on the status of regulations, industry substance lists, and relevant supply chain restrictions to keep you informed and prepared.
Don’t let regulatory updates disrupt your market access. Contact us today to learn how our data experts can manage your EU REACH compliance and supplier outreach.