Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation enacted in December 2006, which addresses the production and use of chemical substances and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment.

Article 33, which is commonly referred to as REACH SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern), does not place a restriction on substances, but rather requires that the presence of substances above 1000 ppm in an article (usually a product material) be communicated upon request.

Claigan is the industry leader in REACH SVHC compliance for professional, medical, and consumer products. Our comprehensive, risk-based approach includes:

• Risk-based analysis and evaluation
• Screen testing of parts and materials by XRF and FTIR
• Laboratory testing of high risk parts and materials
• Updating declarations for new additions to the SVHC list

Claigan’s Approach

Claigan uses a risk-based approach that involves separating components and materials into categories based on low and high risk materials. For high risk materials (i.e. those that could contain an SVHC above 0.1% w/w of an article), Claigan engages in screening and evaluation. After screening and evaluation is complete, high risk parts are tested for specific substances as identified during the review. A final test report and REACH SVHC declaration is produced based on the definition of an article, the weights of the parts or materials relative to the weight of the corresponding article, and the identified SVHC concentrations.

Testing for every REACH SVHC in every material is neither cost-effective nor reasonable for most companies. Alternatively, the ‘grind’ method (grinding up a single product) is very misleading as it normally produces false failures due to the presence of forms of Pb, As, and B that are non-SVHC (ex. Pb in ceramics) or SVHC excluded (ex. B2O3 in borosilicate glass.)

Contact Claigan today at info@claigan.com or +1 (613) 599-4444 to learn more about how we can help you achieve REACH SVHC compliance.