List of substances of very high concern (SVHC list)

The Dutch government is tackling Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) as a matter of priority. Substances of Very High Concern are substances that are dangerous to humans and the environment because, for example, they are carcinogenic, impede reproduction or accumulate in the food chain. The aim of government policy is to keep these substances out of the living environment as much as possible. This is done, among other things, by setting rules in permits for discharges into water and emissions into the air. 

The identification of Substances of Very High Concern follows from selection criteria laid down in Article 57 of the European REACH Regulation 1907/2006. These criteria are: 

• carcinogenic (C) 
• mutagenic (M) 
• toxic to reproduction (R) 
• persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) 
• very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) 
• or similar concern (such as endocrine disruptors) 

Substances of Very High Concern are on the SVHC list of the RIVM. This list is updated twice a year to reflect changes in the above legislation and conventions.