What are they?

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) establishes a European system for identifying the risks posed by chemicals, improving their control and promoting the substitution of substances presenting the most serious hazards.

Within this system, it is important to distinguish between three situations:

1. Substances under evaluation: substances included in the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) so that a Member State can evaluate certain information and determine whether there are risks requiring additional measures.
2. Substances subject to authorisation as candidates: substances identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and included in ECHA's Candidate List. Inclusion does not mean that the substance is prohibited, but it creates immediate legal obligations and may subsequently lead to its inclusion in Annex XIV of REACH.
3. Substances subject to authorisation: substances included in Annex XIV of REACH (Authorisation List). After the sunset date, their use cannot continue unless an authorisation has been granted for that use or an exemption provided for in the Regulation applies.

REACH therefore establishes a progressive process for identifying and controlling substances presenting the most serious hazards. Inclusion in one of these lists should not be confused with an automatic ban. Each situation has different legal consequences.

Substances under evaluation: CoRAP

Member States may evaluate certain substances to clarify whether their manufacture, placing on the market or use may pose a risk to human health or the environment.

The substances selected are included in the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP). The evaluation may consider, among other aspects, potential concerns related to:

1. carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or reproductive toxicity (CMR);
2. persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity (PBT);
3. very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties (vPvB);
4. potential endocrine-disrupting properties;
5. exposure of workers or the general population;
6. environmental exposure;
7. manufacture or import volumes;
8. other factors that may indicate a potential risk.

Inclusion of a substance in CoRAP does not mean that a particular hazard has been demonstrated or that the substance will necessarily become subject to authorisation or restriction. CoRAP reflects the initial concerns that justify its evaluation.

The evaluation may conclude that no further action is necessary, or it may lead to proposals for risk-management measures at EU level, such as restriction, identification as a substance of very high concern, harmonised classification or other measures.

Official CoRAP list – ECHA

Substances of Very High Concern and the Candidate List

Substances presenting particularly serious hazards may be identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in accordance with Article 57 of REACH.

These include:

1. substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR) in the relevant categories;
2. persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances;
3. very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances;
4. other substances which, although they do not meet the criteria above, give rise to an equivalent level of concern, for example certain substances with endocrine-disrupting properties.

Once a substance has been identified as an SVHC, it is included in the Candidate List published by ECHA.

Inclusion in this list does not mean that the substance is prohibited. However, it has important legal consequences for companies and is a signal that substitution should be considered a priority where technically and economically feasible. Official Candidate List – ECHA

Update of the Candidate List

The Candidate List is updated as new substances of very high concern are identified.

1. On 4 February 2026, ECHA added two new entries:n-Hexane (EC 203-777-6; CAS 110-54-3), identified because of specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure;
2. 4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts, known as bisphenol AF (BPAF) and certain related substances, because of their reproductive toxicity.

Official ECHA information on the February 2026 update

What obligations arise from inclusion in the Candidate List?

Inclusion of a substance in the Candidate List may create legal obligations from the date of inclusion.

For substances supplied as such or contained in mixtures, suppliers must provide the safety information required under REACH and update safety data sheets where appropriate.

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must provide the information needed to enable appropriate measures to protect health and safety at work and the environment.

For workers, the SDS is a key source of information on:

1. the hazards of the substance or mixture;
2. prevention and exposure-control measures;
3. personal protective equipment;
4. storage and handling measures;
5. measures to be taken in the event of an accident or exposure;
6. toxicological properties;
7. risk-management measures and, where applicable, exposure scenarios.

Where a substance included in the Candidate List is present in an article at a concentration above 0.1% by weight, there are also information requirements intended to ensure its safe use. At the request of a consumer, this information must be provided free of charge within a maximum period of 45 days. Obligations arising from the Candidate List – ECHA

What does this mean for workers?

If a substance included in the Candidate List is used in the workplace, it is important that the company:

1. knows that it is present and knows how it is being used;
2. has the relevant safety information;
3. specifically assesses the risks arising from its use;
4. takes exposure routes and actual working conditions into account;
5. adopts measures to eliminate or reduce exposure;
6. informs and trains workers;
7. gives priority to substitution where a less hazardous alternative exists.

Inclusion in the Candidate List should be regarded as an indication of particular concern from a prevention perspective. It does not, by itself, mean that use of the substance is illegal.

Workers and their representatives may request information about the substances used, consult SDSs and participate, through the existing worker-representation mechanisms, in the assessment and control of chemical risks.

From the Candidate List to authorisation

A substance included in the Candidate List may subsequently be prioritised for inclusion in Annex XIV of REACH, known as the Authorisation List.

Inclusion in Annex XIV establishes a sunset date. From that date onwards, the substance may not be used for uses subject to authorisation unless a valid authorisation has been granted for that use or an exemption provided for under REACH applies.

The process can therefore be summarised as follows:

Identification of a substance of very high concern → Candidate List → possible prioritisation → Annex XIV (Authorisation List) → authorisation for specific uses or substitution.

It is important to note that not all substances on the Candidate List necessarily proceed to Annex XIV.

Authorisation List – Annex XIV of REACH (ECHA)

What should be done in the workplace?

When a substance included in CoRAP or, particularly, in the Candidate List or Annex XIV is present in the workplace, its specific regulatory status should be checked rather than relying solely on the product's trade name.

It is recommended to:

1. Identify the substance, using its name, EC number and CAS number where available.
2. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and check that it is up to date.
3. Check its status under REACH, particularly in CoRAP, the Candidate List and Annex XIV.
4. Review the occupational risk assessment and the actual conditions of use.
5. Apply the hierarchy of preventive measures, giving priority to eliminating exposure and substituting the substance with less hazardous substances, processes or technologies.
6. Where substitution is not possible, reduce exposure to the minimum compatible with adequate health protection, using technical and organisational measures and, where necessary, personal protective equipment.
7. Inform and train workers about the risks and preventive measures.
8. Consult workers and their representatives about preventive measures and possibilities for substitution.

Inclusion of a substance on a REACH list does not replace the obligation to carry out an occupational risk assessment. In Spain, Royal Decree 374/2001 requires risks arising from hazardous chemical agents present at work to be assessed and the assessment to be kept up to date.

Royal Decree 374/2001 – protection against risks related to chemical agents (BOE)

Substitution: a priority preventive measure

When a substance presents particularly serious hazards, prevention should focus primarily on its elimination or substitution.

Substitution may involve:

1. using a less hazardous substance;
2. modifying the work process;
3. using a different technology;
4. changing the product used;
5. modifying the conditions of use in order to eliminate exposure.

The granting of an authorisation under REACH does not mean that the substance is no longer hazardous, nor does it replace occupational health and safety obligations.

Therefore, from an occupational health perspective, administrative authorisation of a use should not be regarded as a reason to stop looking for safer alternatives.

Useful information and resources

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Candidate List

Obligations arising from the Candidate List

CoRAP – substances under evaluation

Authorisation List – Annex XIV

Information on the authorisation process

Information on substances of very high concern

EUR-Lex

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), consolidated text

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INSST)

Technical Guide for the assessment and prevention of risks related to chemical agents present in workplaces – 2022

Chemical occupational risks – INSST

The 2022 INSST Technical Guide includes a specific appendix on the REACH and CLP Regulations and their relationship with occupational risk prevention.

Legislation

1. Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, as subsequently amended.
2. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, as subsequently amended.
3. Law 31/1995 of 8 November on Occupational Risk Prevention.
4. Royal Decree 374/2001 of 6 April on the protection of the health and safety of workers against risks related to chemical agents at work, in its current version.
5. Royal Decree 39/1997, approving the Regulation on Prevention Services, where applicable.

Last updated: August 2026