ECHA's SVHC Candidate List is updated twice a year and now contains 240 substances. For most brass fitting buyers, the list is abstract and intimidating — 240 chemicals to check against every component in the supply chain. This guide cuts through that: here are the SVHCs that actually appear in brass and copper alloy fittings, why they are on the list, what the obligations are, and how Brassland manages this on your behalf.
Contents
- What Is an SVHC?
- The ECHA Candidate List — How It Works
- SVHCs Actually Present in Brass Fittings
- Lead — The Primary SVHC in Leaded Brass
- Arsenic — Relevant to CW602N DZR Brass
- Nickel — Relevant to Nickel-Plated Brass
- Other SVHCs — Are They Present in Brass?
- The 0.1% Threshold — How It Is Applied
- Article 33 Obligations in Practice
- SCIP Database Obligations
- From Candidate List to Authorisation List
- How Brassland Monitors the Candidate List
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an SVHC?
SVHC stands for Substance of Very High Concern. Under REACH Regulation EC 1907/2006, Article 57, the following categories of substances qualify as SVHCs:
| Article 57 Category | Abbr. | Definition | Examples in metals context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcinogenic substances (Cat 1A/1B) | CMR-C | Substances known or presumed to cause cancer in humans | Arsenic, nickel, chromium(VI), cadmium |
| Mutagenic substances (Cat 1A/1B) | CMR-M | Substances that may cause heritable genetic damage | Chromium(VI) compounds |
| Reproductive toxicants (Cat 1A/1B) | CMR-R | Substances toxic for reproduction (developmental or fertility) | Lead, lead compounds |
| Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic | PBT | Substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms, and are toxic | Some organochlorine compounds — rare in metal components |
| Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative | vPvB | High persistence and bioaccumulation without necessarily being acutely toxic | Some siloxanes — not in metal alloys |
| Equivalent concern (e.g. endocrine disruptors) | ED/Art.57f | Substances with equivalent level of concern, e.g. endocrine disrupting properties | Bisphenol A (in plastic components) — not in brass |
Being identified as an SVHC is the first step in a regulatory pathway that could eventually lead to authorisation requirements or restrictions under REACH. Candidate List status triggers supply chain communication obligations under Article 33 — but does not itself restrict the use of the substance.
The ECHA Candidate List — How It Works
The SVHC Candidate List is published and maintained by ECHA at echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table. It is a live, searchable database. Each entry shows:
- Substance name and EC/CAS number
- Article 57 basis for identification (CMR category, PBT, etc.)
- Date added to the list
- Link to the ECHA substance information page
Update History (recent)
The Candidate List grows by approximately 5–15 substances per year. This page is reviewed at each ECHA update, but compliance decisions should always reference the live list at echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table. ECHA also provides email alerts for Candidate List updates — subscribe at the ECHA website.
SVHCs Actually Present in Brass Fittings
Of the 240 SVHCs on the Candidate List, the vast majority are organic chemicals (polymers, plasticisers, flame retardants, surfactants) that have no relevance whatsoever to metal alloy components. The subset relevant to brass, copper and aluminium fittings is small:
| SVHC | CAS No. | Art. 57 basis | In brass/copper alloys? | Above 0.1% threshold? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 7439-92-1 | Repr. Cat.1A/1B | Yes — CW617N (~2%), CW614N (~3%), CW602N (~0.2–0.3%) | Yes for CW617N, CW614N, CW602N |
| Lead compounds (various) | Various | Repr. + Carc. | Not intentionally added to standard brass alloys | No — trace only if present |
| Arsenic | 7440-38-2 | Carc. Cat.1A | Yes — CW602N DZR (As 0.02–0.15% as dezincification inhibitor) | Yes for CW602N (0.02–0.15%) |
| Nickel | 7440-02-0 | Carc. Cat.1A | Not in standard brass alloys; yes in nickel-plated components | Yes if nickel-plated |
| Cobalt | 7440-48-4 | Carc. Cat.1B + Repr. | Not in standard brass or copper alloys | No |
| Cadmium | 7440-43-9 | Carc. Cat.1B + Repr. | Trace only in copper alloys — typically <10 ppm | No — well below 0.1% |
| Chromium (VI) compounds | Various | Carc. Cat.1A + Mutagen | Not in standard brass. Risk if chrome-plated fittings. | No for standard brass |
| DEHP (phthalate) | 117-81-7 | Repr. Cat.1B + ED | Not in brass metal — relevant for rubber O-rings / gaskets in fitting assemblies | Depends on seal material — check with seal supplier |
| Bisphenol A | 80-05-7 | Endocrine disruptor | Not in metal alloys. Relevant for polymer-bodied fittings. | No — metal fittings only |
For a solid metal brass fitting (body only, no seals or coatings), the only SVHCs of concern are:
- Lead — in CW617N, CW614N, CW602N grades
- Arsenic — in CW602N DZR grades only
Lead — The Primary SVHC in Leaded Brass
Lead metal (EC No. 231-100-4, CAS 7439-92-1) was added to the ECHA SVHC Candidate List on 27 June 2018. It is identified as a Substance of Very High Concern on the basis of its classification as:
- Toxic for reproduction (developmental effects), Category 1A — "known human reproductive toxicant"
- Toxic for reproduction (effects on or via lactation), Category 1
The regulatory basis for lead's SVHC identification is Article 57(c) of REACH. The key ECHA background document is the Lead SVHC support document published by ECHA.
Lead concentration in Brassland's standard alloys:
| Alloy | Pb content (EN 12164) | Exceeds 0.1% SVHC threshold? | Art. 33 communication required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CW617N | 1.6–2.5% | Yes — ~2% | Yes |
| CW614N | 2.5–3.5% | Yes — ~3% | Yes |
| CW602N DZR | 0.2–0.3% | Yes — ~0.2–0.3% | Yes |
| CW724R (silicon brass) | <0.09% | No — below 0.1% | No (for lead) |
| C101/C102 copper | <0.01% | No | No |
Arsenic — Relevant to CW602N DZR Brass
Arsenic (EC No. 231-148-6, CAS 7440-38-2) was added to the SVHC Candidate List on 15 January 2014. It is identified as a Substance of Very High Concern as a carcinogen (Category 1A) under Article 57(a) of REACH.
CW602N DZR (dezincification-resistant) brass contains arsenic at 0.02–0.15% as a deliberate alloying addition. Arsenic inhibits dezincification — the selective leaching of zinc from brass in certain water chemistries — providing superior corrosion resistance in chlorinated water systems. The arsenic content in CW602N is an intentional alloying element, not an impurity.
At 0.02–0.15%, arsenic in CW602N exceeds the 0.1% Article 33 threshold. This means that suppliers of CW602N fittings into the EU/UK must communicate the presence of arsenic to customers under Article 33, in addition to lead. The arsenic in the alloy is bound in the metal matrix and is not released under normal conditions of use.
Brassland's Article 33 compliance statements for CW602N fittings identify both lead AND arsenic as SVHCs present above 0.1% w/w. Customers receiving CW602N fittings should ensure their own Article 33 communication to downstream customers includes both substances. SCIP database notifications for CW602N fittings must include both lead and arsenic SVHC entries.
Nickel — Relevant to Nickel-Plated Brass
Nickel (EC No. 231-111-4, CAS 7440-02-0) was added to the SVHC Candidate List on 27 June 2023. It is identified as a carcinogen (Category 1A) under Article 57(a).
Nickel is not an alloying element in standard brass (CW617N, CW602N, CW614N). However, brass fittings are sometimes supplied with nickel plating (electroless nickel or electrolytic nickel) for corrosion protection or aesthetic purposes. Nickel plating layers are typically 5–25 microns thick, and the nickel content in the total article may exceed the 0.1% w/w threshold depending on the geometry of the fitting and the plating thickness.
If you order nickel-plated brass fittings from Brassland, our Article 33 statements will include nickel as an SVHC. SCIP notifications for nickel-plated fittings must include nickel. Unplated standard brass fittings do not require Article 33 communication for nickel.
Other SVHCs — Are They Present in Brass?
The remaining 235+ SVHCs on the Candidate List are primarily:
- Organic chemicals: phthalates, bisphenols, flame retardants, dyes, solvents, surfactants
- Organotin compounds (used in PVC stabilisers — not in metal alloys)
- Hexavalent chromium compounds (used in some surface treatments — not in standard brass alloys)
- Various petrochemical compounds
None of these are present in solid brass or copper alloy components at levels above the 0.1% threshold. The key risk areas for non-alloy SVHCs in fitting assemblies are: polymer seals and O-rings (phthalates, bisphenol A), surface coatings (chromium VI compounds in some plating processes), lubricants and greases applied at assembly, and adhesives or thread sealants.
Only lead (CW617N, CW614N, CW602N) and arsenic (CW602N only) are SVHCs present above 0.1% w/w. All other SVHCs on the 240-item Candidate List are absent from the metal alloy body. For fitting assemblies including seals, coatings or lubricants, separate SVHC assessment of those components is required.
The 0.1% Threshold — How It Is Applied
Article 33 obligations are triggered when an SVHC is present in an article in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w). The application of this threshold requires clarity on what constitutes "the article":
Simple article (e.g. a solid brass fitting body)
For a simple article — a single object with a single material composition — the threshold applies to the article as a whole. A 100g CW617N brass fitting contains approximately 2g of lead — 2% w/w. Clearly above 0.1%.
Complex object (e.g. a fitting assembly with body + seal + nut)
For complex objects (assemblies made of multiple articles), the threshold is applied at the component level. Each component is assessed separately. The brass body is assessed for its lead content; the rubber seal is assessed for phthalates; the nut is assessed for its material. ECHA's guidance document on articles provides detailed methodology for complex object assessment.
Concentration calculation
Concentration is assessed by weight, not by volume or surface area. For a CW617N fitting with 2% lead: if the fitting weighs 50g, it contains 1g of lead — 2% w/w. The threshold of 0.1% w/w means any article containing more than 0.1% of an SVHC by weight requires Article 33 communication.
Article 33 Obligations in Practice
When an SVHC exceeds the 0.1% threshold in an article, REACH Article 33 requires:
Article 33(1) — B2B communication (proactive)
Suppliers must provide sufficient information to allow safe use to business customers — including, as a minimum, the name of the SVHC. This obligation is proactive: it should be provided as part of standard documentation without waiting for the customer to ask.
Article 33(2) — Consumer communication (on request)
If a consumer requests information, the supplier must provide it free of charge within 45 days. The information must include, at minimum, the name of the SVHC present above 0.1%.
What "sufficient information to allow safe use" means in practice
For lead in brass fittings: the substance name, CAS number, approximate concentration, and information that lead is an SVHC. For a plumbing fitting: "This article contains lead (CAS 7439-92-1) at approximately 1.6–2.5% by weight (CW617N alloy per EN 12164). Lead is classified as toxic for reproduction (Repr. Cat.1A). Normal handling of brass fittings in plumbing applications does not result in significant lead exposure. Do not machine or drill without appropriate dust control. Wash hands after handling. Keep away from children."
SCIP Database Obligations
From 5 January 2021, suppliers placing articles containing SVHCs above 0.1% on the EU market must submit information to the ECHA SCIP database. SCIP stands for Substances of Concern In articles, as such or in complex objects (Products).
Who must submit?
EU-based companies that place articles containing SVHCs on the EU market: EU distributors importing brass fittings from Brassland, EU OEMs incorporating brass fittings into finished products sold in the EU.
What information must be submitted?
- Article identification (name, reference, description)
- Safe use information
- SVHC name, EC/CAS number, concentration range (e.g. "1–10% w/w" for lead in CW617N)
Why does SCIP exist?
SCIP data is made available to waste management operators, enabling them to identify SVHC-containing waste and handle it appropriately during collection, dismantling, and recycling. The goal is to support the circular economy by ensuring SVHC information follows articles through their entire lifecycle to end-of-life.
From Candidate List to Authorisation List — The Regulatory Pathway
The SVHC Candidate List is not the end of the regulatory road. SVHCs can be moved to the Authorisation List (Annex XIV), at which point their use in the EU requires explicit authorisation from ECHA. Authorisation is granted for specific uses, for specific time periods, to specific applicants.
For lead in brass: lead metal is on the Candidate List but is not currently on the Authorisation List. Lead compounds are subject to various Annex XVII restrictions (Restriction List), which already limit certain uses of lead — but the Annex XVII Restriction Entry 63 (lead in articles) explicitly includes an exemption for brass alloys in professional/industrial use. Adding lead in brass articles to the Authorisation List would require a full ECHA recommendation and Commission decision, weighing socioeconomic factors and availability of alternatives.
Industry analysts consider this unlikely in the near term, given the breadth of industrial lead use in copper alloys and the ongoing exemption framework under RoHS. However, the regulatory direction of travel is towards progressive restriction of lead, and monitoring is prudent.
How Brassland Monitors the Candidate List
- Update frequency: Brassland monitors every ECHA Candidate List update — typically January and June/July each year
- Assessment: At each update, we assess whether any newly listed SVHC is present above 0.1% w/w in any product we supply
- Customer notification: If a new SVHC listing affects our products, we notify affected customers within 45 days — consistent with our Article 33(1) obligations
- Documentation: Updated REACH Article 33 compliance statements are issued to customers within 45 days of any relevant change
- SCIP support: We provide updated SCIP data packages to EU customers at each relevant update
- Proactive reporting: We do not wait for customers to ask — if a listing affects your products, we reach out proactively
Frequently Asked Questions
Primary Sources & Further Reading
- 🔬 ECHA — SVHC Candidate List (live — updated January and July each year)
- 🔬 ECHA — Lead (CAS 7439-92-1) Substance Information
- 🔬 ECHA — Arsenic (CAS 7440-38-2) Substance Information
- 🔬 ECHA — Nickel (CAS 7440-02-0) Substance Information
- 🔬 ECHA — SCIP Database Guidance and Submission Portal
- 🔬 ECHA — Guidance on REACH (including Articles guidance for SVHC in complex objects)
- 🇪🇺 EUR-Lex — REACH Regulation EC 1907/2006 (Articles 33, 57, 59)
- 📄 Brassland — Full REACH Compliance Guide for Brass Fittings
- 📄 Brassland — Certifications & Compliance Documentation
This guide is maintained by Brassland and reviewed at every ECHA Candidate List update. Last updated: May 2026. SVHC status should always be verified against the live ECHA Candidate List before making compliance decisions. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice.