The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a public consultation in order to gather views with regard to 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern. 37 substances were proposed by the European Commission. Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom have also put forward proposals for the identification of 17 substances.

Interested parties can post their comments on the new public consultation launched by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern. The contributions can be made until 18 October 2012. ECHA has launched this consultation upon request from the European Commission to prepare Annex XV dossiers for 37 substances on their behalf. Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom have also put forward proposals for the identification of 17 substances. In March 2011, for the first time, ECHA published a list of consumer articles containing substances of very high concern.

44 of those substances are proposed to be identified as SVHCs on the basis of their classifications as carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction (REACH Article 57(a–c)). One of these substances is also suggested as being of equivalent concern in accordance with Article 57(f) based on its endocrine disrupting properties. Five further substances are proposed to be of equivalent concern. Finally, five substances are proposed to be identified as being persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and/or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) in accordance with Article 57(d) and/or (e).

Comments should provide information concerning the identity of the substances or on their PBT/vPvB or "equivalent concern" properties. Furthermore, ECHA invites the submission of information on the uses of the substances. This would include data on tonnages per use and exposures or releases resulting from these uses. Information on the availability of safer alternative substances and techniques as well as the structure of supply chains is also welcome. ECHA will consider this information when recommending SVHCs for inclusion in the Authorisation List (Annex XIV).