Policy paper

Approach to the UK REACH candidate list of substances of very high concern

Published 24 February 2026

The UK’s registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals regulation (UK REACH) is part of the chemicals regulatory framework for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

UK REACH is based on the principle that manufacturers, importers and downstream users should ensure that the substances they manufacture, place on the market or use do not adversely affect human health or the environment. 

The regulation places responsibility on businesses to: 

• understand and manage the risks of chemicals 
• communicate appropriate risk management measures along supply chains to customers 

Candidate list 

UK REACH identifies substances of very high concern (SVHCs). SVHCs include substances with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties, or those that are especially persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment.  

The UK REACH candidate list constitutes those substances identified as SVHCs – and serves to flag the potential for further regulatory control in future. Inclusion on the candidate list places some additional communication and notification duties on suppliers of SVHCs on their own, or in mixtures or articles.  

Once on the candidate list, a substance could be considered for potential inclusion on the authorisation list. If a substance is added to the authorisation list, it cannot be used after the specified ‘sunset date’ unless the use is exempt from authorisation, or a use-specific authorisation has been granted.  

Interim principles since UK’s exit from the EU 

When UK REACH came into force, all substances that were on the EU REACH candidate list were carried over onto the UK REACH candidate list.  

Following the UK’s exit from the EU in 2021, Defra worked with the Welsh and Scottish governments to set out interim principles for adding substances of very high concern to the candidate list.

In 2025, the government reviewed the interim principles, working with stakeholders to develop a new approach, set out below.  

As of 24 February 2026, the 2021 interim principles no longer apply.  

New strategic approach  

As set out in Defra’s 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (commitment 40), we are seeking to draw more from regulatory decision-making in other jurisdictions.  

This should enable new protections to be applied more quickly, more efficiently, and in a way which is more aligned with our closest trading partners – especially the EU.

This approach aims to reduce business complexity and trade barriers, and provide industry with the certainty they need to grow and invest, whilst continuing to protect people and the environment in the right way. 

Defra and the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales aim to support appropriate substitution of a greater number of SVHCs. Including SVHCs on the candidate list should encourage substitution away from particularly hazardous substances, in cases where less hazardous substances can be used effectively.

Once substances are on the candidate list, they may be recommended for potential addition to the authorisation list (Annex 14) where appropriate.

Substances that have been added to the EU REACH candidate list since 1 January 2021, and further EU additions, will be reviewed and added to the UK REACH candidate list where appropriate. This approach aims to provide more certainty for industry, and to reduce business complexity – by ensuring that the UK candidate list is more closely aligned with the EU candidate list.

The ability to propose further potential SVHCs is retained, where it is considered that substances meet the criteria set out in Article 57 of UK REACH.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the agency for UK REACH, can propose further potential SVHCs in the annual work programme, in accordance with the process set out in Article 59 of the legislation. The process includes producing and consulting on an Annex 15 dossier outlining the evidence for inclusion.