Glutaraldehyde is now listed on the SVHC list
What is glutaraldehyde?
Glutaraldehyde is an aldehyde used in the leather tanning process as an alternative method to chrome tanning, usually used as a pre-tanning agent.
How does this affect the suppliers?
In July 2021, Glutaraldehyde was listed on the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list due to its respiratory sensitising properties. In conclusion, this places certain obligations on suppliers of articles containing glutaraldehyde at a concentration greater than 0.1% w/w.
Any supplier of an article containing a substance on the SVHC candidate list in a concentration greater than 0.1% w/w has the responsibility to provide the recipient of that article with enough information to allow safe use of that article. The same information also should be provided to consumers upon request, within 45 days of that request.
Companies involved in the production of wet-white, chrome-free and synthetically tanned leathers are likely to be affected by this regulation. Although the addition of glutaraldehyde onto the SVHC candidate list may not be a huge issue for the leather industry right now, it does increase the possibility of greater restrictions within REACH with regards to glutaraldehyde in the future.
How can Eurofins | BLC help?
- REACH SVHC testing and screening service – testing for the presence of substances included in the latest published SVHC list, including glutaraldehyde
- Testing for glutaraldehyde
For further information email [email protected] or call us on +44 (0)1604 679 999 to discuss your requirements.
2 November 2021