SVHC ,“Substance of Very High Concern”, refers to any substance that has adverse effects on human health and the environment.

On November 21, 2025, the European Commission released three draft proposals to upgrade and integrate three categories of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)—chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs)—into Part A of Annex I to the EU POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The move aims to comprehensively prohibit their production, circulation, and use within the EU, with only minimal transitional exemptions granted to a very limited number of industries.

On November 18, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its 12th recommendation for authorization, proposing for the first time to include four Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), including melamine, into the REACH Authorisation List. If adopted by the European Commission, companies will need to submit applications and pass reviews to continue using these substances in the future.

On November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published mapping of PFAS uses, serving as an industry support document for the upcoming public consultation on PFAS restrictions. The mapping systematically outlines PFAS applications across 14 major industrial, professional, and consumer sectors, including battery manufacturing, textiles, electronics, and PFAS production.

On November 3, 2025, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a notice soliciting public comments on the draft Catalog for Compliance Management of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2025 Edition) and the draft List of Applications Exempted from Restricted Substances in the Compliance Management Catalog (2025 Edition). The public consultation period lasts until December 2, 2025.

November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially announced the 35th batch of 1 substance of very concern, bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 251. Earlier in October, the Member State Committee (MSC) unanimously agreed during its October meeting to classify this substance as a SVHC.

On October 28, 2025, the European Commission formally adopted Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1482, introducing significant amendments to provisions related to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) under the EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU 2019/1021).

On October 3, 2025, the European Commission published (EU) 2025/1988 in the Official Journal, amending Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (Restrictions) to include item 82, which sets forth control requirements for PFAS in firefighting foams. The revised regulation will take effect on October 23, 2025. This amendment marks a significant step towards comprehensive PFAS regulation in the EU. The firefighting foam industry should pay close attention to this revision, and other industries should continue to monitor the EU's progress in regulating PFAS across all sectors.

On October 15, 2025, the European Commission formally adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2067, adjusting the registration fee standards under the EU REACH.

On October 9, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that the Member State Committee (MSC) unanimously agreed during its October meeting to classify 1,1’-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (Decabromodiphenyl Ethane, DBDPE) as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). ECHA plans to officially publish the notice in November 2025, adding it to the SVHC Candidate List. This move will further advance the phase-out of brominated flame retardants.