ECHA Drops Surprise Third REACH SVHC Update—Again

For the second time in two years, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced a third update to REACH’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list, raising the total from 250 to 251 substances.

This third update comes almost exactly one year after the previous rare third update. While it doesn’t signify an official change to the REACH update schedule, it suggests that additional updates may become more frequent—and that they tend to occur in early November. 

The update was expected since it was announced last month, but unlike last year, it wasn’t delayed. It initially appeared early—leading many to assume it would be part of the January update—then was briefly removed, causing confusion about whether it had been withdrawn.

Manufacturers and importers must declare SVHC content above the limit of 0.1% weight by weight in all articles, which includes the SCIP notifications. You can find the complete SVHC list at the ECHA website here. This is the new substance, along with the reason for inclusion on the SVHC list and common uses: 

The New Substance on the REACH SVHC List: DBDPE

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (commonly known as DBDPE) is the substance added to REACH’s SVHC list. DBDPE is frequently used in plastics, electronics, textiles, and building materials to reduce flammability.

What Components Contain Decabromodiphenyl Ethane (DBDPE)?

Analysis by Z2Data of parts within its database that contain full materials disclosures found that over 2800 parts contain the new substance of very high concern. A majority of the parts identified belonged to the following commodities: 

• Flat Jumper Cable Assemblies 

• Rectangular Connectors  

• Fiber Optics 

About 22% of the parts fell into the flat jumper cable assembly category, while rectangular connectors accounted for 16% and fiber optics for 13%. Roughly 50% of the parts affected by DBDPE fell into miscellaneous categories. Since this substance is primarily used as a flame retardant in polymers, it’s no surprise to see such a wide distribution of uses across many commodity types.

Who’s Affected by DBDPE Restrictions?

While Z2Data’s database primarily consists of electronic components, it’s likely that the automotive, construction, and textile industries will also be heavily impacted by this SVHC update due to their extensive use of DBDPE—especially as a common replacement for decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which was previously restricted.

Manufacturers Should Still Expect a January 2026 Update to REACH’s SVHC List

While ECHA made another exception to its update cycle, it will continue with its usual biannual updates next year in January 2026. It’s essential to inform your supply chain about this sudden regulatory development, as this update may catch many by surprise.

Want to See Where Your Products Are Impacted?

Curious if your products contain Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) or any of the 251 substances on REACH’s SVHC list? Z2Data’s platform offers a clear view of your compliance status across all your products. Our tool analyzes your BOM to identify compliant and non-compliant parts, helping you prioritize any issues needing immediate attention.

With access to billions of data sources including full material disclosures, Z2Data’s platform helps you quickly identify which parts meet regulatory standards and which don’t, so you can focus on solving your compliance challenges. Our database of over 1 billion components streamlines access to essential information, reducing the need for extensive data collection.

Use Z2Data to get compliant with a number of key regulations, including but not limited to:

• REACH
• RoHS
• PFAS regulations
• Conflict Minerals
• California Prop 65

For a customized report of your compliance risks, connect with one of our Z2Data product experts. 

What to Know About the REACH Regulation

The ECHA manages the European Union (EU) regulation REACH in order to expand the protections of human health and the environment. The REACH regulation applies to all chemical substances—not just industrial—and affects most companies across the EU. The regulation establishes a procedure for collecting and assessing information on the hazards posed by substances. Those substances are then either managed under the substances of very high concern (SVHC) list or, if the risks of the substance are unmanageable, added to the restricted list. Typically, ECHA considers new substances for the SVHC list every six months.