The SIN List – a glimpse into the future
One of the main objectives of REACH is to protect human health and the environment. However, to achieve this goal, an effective implementation of REACH depends on proper regulation of the most hazardous chemicals, the Substances of Very High Concern. This is where the SIN List enters the picture. The aim of the SIN List project is to ensure that REACH Authorisation procedure is an effective tool to fast-track the most hazardous substances for substitution and to facilitate toxic use reduction by businesses and other actors. ChemSec, in collaboration with other NGOs in the EU and US, presented the first SIN List in 2008. The SIN List encompasses highly hazardous chemicals present in products we come into contact with every day, such as detergents and paints, electronics, residential buildings, toys, apparel and clothes.
The success of REACH will depend on a prompt, effective process for identifying hazardous chemicals on the European market and replacing them with safer alternatives
The SIN List identifies Substances of Very High Concern according to REACH criteria through the combined efforts of public interest groups, scientists, and technical experts. The list is based on credible, publicly available information from existing databases, scientific studies, and new research.
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What is on the SIN List?
CMR substances Harmful substances with inherent
properties known to cause cancer, alter DNA or damage reproductive system. They are known as CMRs (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or toxic to Reproduction), and correspond to Articles 57 a-c of REACH. The CMR substances on the SIN List have been derived from the official EU list of classified substances.
substances of very high concern
are substances that are either: • known to cause cancer, alter DNA or affect reproductive functions (CMR substances) • persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT substances) • substances of equivalent level of concern (e.g. endocrine disrupting chemicals)
CMRs are chemicals that can cause cancer, alter DNA and damage reproductive systems