ECHA Publishes February 2026 REACH SVHC Update: Two New Substances Added

Overview

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) manages the European Union (EU) regulation Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (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 hazards of 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.

REACH February 2026 Update: What to Expect

The ECHA has submitted two new substances to the SVHC list for the first update of 2026. This brings the SVHC list up from 251 to 253 substances. 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:

Z2Data Analysis of REACH SVHC Substances – February 2026 Update

Analysis by Z2Data of parts with full material disclosures shows that approximately 110 parts contain one or more of the newly identified Substances of Very High Concern. Most of these parts fall into three categories:

• Power Line Filters
• Power Entry Connectors
• Switches

In these types of electronic components, the substances are not used to carry electrical signals or perform electronic functions. Instead, they are found in the non-electrical materials that hold the part together and protect it during use. Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is commonly used in epoxy resins and other high-performance plastics. In electronic parts, these resins are used in materials such as molding compounds, encapsulants, adhesives, die attach materials, and protective coatings. These materials give components their physical strength, provide electrical insulation, and protect sensitive circuits from heat, moisture, and chemical exposure over the life of the product.

n-Hexane plays a different role. It is not intended to remain in the finished component but is often used during manufacturing as a cleaning or degreasing solvent for wafers, tools, or metal frames. If it is relevant to a finished part, it would typically be due to trace residues from manufacturing processes rather than because it contributes to the performance or structure of the electronic component itself.

ECHA Withdraws BPF SVHC Proposal—For Now

According to the meeting minutes from ECHA, the proposal to identify 4,4’-methylenediphenol (BPF) as an SVHC was withdrawn. Withdrawals are not uncommon, and while this substance is not currently on the SVHC list, ECHA could reconsider it in future updates if new evidence demonstrates it meets the SVHC criteria. Companies should continue to monitor SVHC updates to ensure compliance with any potential future inclusions.

Broader Industry Exposure Beyond Electronics

Beyond electronics, these substances are also used in a wide range of adjacent industries that rely on epoxy resins, high-performance polymers, coatings, adhesives, and solvent-based manufacturing processes. This includes automotive and electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, industrial machinery and automation, construction materials, and specialty chemicals. As a result, companies operating in these sectors may encounter the same substances in structural materials, protective coatings, sealants, or process chemicals, making cross-industry material visibility and supplier communication critical as REACH SVHC requirements expand.

How Could the REACH Regulation Update Impact You?

Not sure whether REACH applies to your products?

Z2Data provides access to compliance data on 1+ billion electronic components, giving you a comprehensive view of your product’s regulatory standing across REACH, RoHS, California Proposition 65, and other key regulations.

By uploading your BOM into Z2Data’s Compliance Manager solution, you can instantly see which parts meet compliance requirements and which pose a risk. This allows you to quickly check compliance statuses across your entire product portfolio without the need for manual tracking. You’ll also be able to monitor for changes to evolving regulations, including REACH updates, so your team can stay ahead of potential disruptions. All these results can be used to generate compliance scores and certificates within the platform that you can share with customers or other teams where necessary.

For companies looking to go a step further, Z2Data’s regulatory advisory team can assist with supplier outreach and verification, ensuring that compliance is validated at the source and your due diligence requirements are fully met.

And to make sure this all fits seamlessly into your existing workflows, Z2Data offers easy API integration along with simple import and export features, making collaboration and automation across your organization more efficient than ever.

Sign up for a free trial or request a personal demo to see Z2Data in action.

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