Deadline approaches for SCIP database submissions

The European Union is working hard to create a circular economy in which raw materials are reused again and again and waste materials are minimized. It is also important to reduce the release of hazardous substances during waste treatment. To gain more insight into the use of hazardous substances in articles, the SCIP database was created. As a supplier of consumer products, you too might be affected by the SCIP database.

The European Waste Directive

The European Waste Directive (2018/851/EU) is part of Europe's new circular economy package and aims to make more efficient use of raw materials. The aim is to create a fully circular economy in which raw materials are reused again and again. Of importance in this regard is that the processing of products should minimize the release of substances that can cause harm to people and the environment.

The SCIP database

A database has therefore been set up by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): the SCIP database. SCIP stands for Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products). In the SCIP database, objects containing substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on the reach Candidate List must be registered.

SVHCs are substances that can have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment, for example carcinogenic or mutagenic substances. Whether a substance is an SVHC substance is determined on the basis of a number of criteria laid down in Article 57 of the REACH regulation.

When these substances occur in a concentration of more than 0.1% by weight in an article as such, or in a complex article (a product consisting of several components), information on these articles must be submitted to ECHA. Companies trading these articles on the European market are responsible for this themselves.

The SCIP database is intended to ensure that information on hazardous substances in articles remains available throughout a product's life cycle and is not only transparent to industry, but also to waste processors and consumers.

What does this mean for you?

From January 5, 2021, it will be mandatory for companies supplying articles containing substances on the REACH Candidate List to submit information on these articles to ECHA. This obligation relates to all articles containing an SVHC substance on the Candidate List in a concentration greater than 0.1% by weight.

This obligation applies to:

• Producers and compilers
• Importers
• Distributors

The following information must be submitted in the SCIP database:

• Data by which the object can be identified;
• Data on the SVHC substance present in the object;
• Instructions on the safe use of the item;
• Information on safe management of the item after it becomes waste.

Need advice?

Do you trade items within the European Union and want to know if these new rules apply to your products? Contact us at +31 (0)30 - 65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com. You will then receive our no-obligation quotation.