The SIN List is based on the EU REACH criteria

In 2007 the EU chemicals regulation REACH entered into force. Within REACH the most hazardous chemicals are defined as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and subsequently placed on the Candidate List. The EU has decided that the use of these substances should be strictly limited. However, the process of actually regulating specific chemicals within the scope of REACH has until now been far too slow.

The SIN List consists of chemicals that have been identified by ChemSec as being SVHCs, based on the criteria defined within REACH.

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)

The criteria for a SVHC are described in REACH article 57. All substances on the SIN List fulfill these criteria. Three categories are included.

• The first category is chemicals that can cause cancer, alter DNA or damage reproductive systems. These are called CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to reproduction.)
• The second category are harmful substances that do not easily break down and accumulate in the food chain. These are known as PBT substances (short for Persistent, Bio-accumulative and Toxic). Substances that are very Persistent and very Bio-accumulative are also included in this category (vPvB).
• The third category is called “substances of equivalent concern”. This category covers substances that are not automatically covered by the other two categories, but which nonetheless give rise to equivalent levels of concern in terms of potential damage to health and the environment. This category includes endocrine disrupting and persistent mobile and toxic chemicals.