On 12 April 2023 ECHA recommended that the European Commission adds eight substances (including lead metal) from the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) to the Authorisation List (Annex XIV of REACH).

The recommendation includes the following six chemicals that are toxic to reproduction:

• 2-(4-tertbutylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers

• Lead

• 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one

• 2-benzyl-2- dimethylamino-4’-morpholinobutyrophenone

• Diisohexyl phthalate

• Orthoboric acid, sodium salt

Furthermore, the following two chemicals that are respiratory sensitisers are also recommended:

• Ethylenediamine

• Glutaral

It is now up to the European Commission to decide which substances will be included in the Authorisation list and what conditions will apply for each substance. Once a substance is included in the Authorisation List, it cannot be placed on the EEA market or used after a specific date without having an authorisation granted for a specific use. The aim of the authorisation process is to encourage the substitution of SVHCs with safer alternatives.