SCIP database
A European database operated by ECHA where SVHC present in articles must be notified when placing them on the EU market. Operational since 5 January 2021 under Waste Framework Article 9.1.i.
Context
SCIP (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects/Products) is the European database operated by ECHA where SVHC present in articles must be notified when placing them on the EU market.
Regulatory origin
Established by the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC Article 9.1.i (introduced by Directive (EU) 2018/851), operated by ECHA since 5 Jan 2021.
What information SCIP requires
Identification of the article (name, supplier’s article number, EU identifiers).
Category of the article in accordance with the SCIP nomenclature.
Name, concentration range and location of the SVHC in the article.
Information for the safe use of the article and end-of-life management as waste.
Timeline
Directive (EU) 2018/851
Amends the Waste Framework 2008/98/EC introducing SCIP.
SCIP operational
ECHA opens the SCIP database to notifications.
Mandatory notification
Any article with SVHC above 0.1 per cent must be notified before first placing on the EU market.
Applied case
A textile brand notifies SCIP of the articles with lead SVHC zips detected in its quality control.
Generates the SCIP dossier in structured IUCLID 6 XML format with article identification + composition + lead location.
Uploads the dossier to the ECHA Submission Portal with company credentials.
Receives a SCIP notification number (UUID) which it shares with B2B customers and which remains publicly accessible in the SCIP database.
Maintains an internal record of SCIP notifications with annual renewal or whenever the composition changes.
Common mistakes
SCIP is not voluntary for articles with SVHC.
It is a direct legal obligation under the Waste Framework Directive. Failing to notify is a sanctionable infringement.
SCIP does not exempt you from REACH Article 33 communication.
They are parallel obligations. Article 33 requires communication to the recipient of the article. SCIP requires notification to ECHA. Both are met.
SCIP is not solely the responsibility of the non-EU manufacturer.
The obliged party is whoever places the article on the internal market, whether an EU manufacturer, importer or authorised representative. If the manufacturer is non-EU, the importing brand is the obliged party.
It is not enough to notify SCIP once per product family.
Each distinct article marketed must have its own SCIP notification. If there are multiple references with different compositions, they are separate notifications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SCIP database?
The database of Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (SCIP by its official English acronym). Established by the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC Article 9.1.i (introduced by Directive (EU) 2018/851), operated by ECHA since 5 Jan 2021. Mandatory notification of SVHC present in articles when placing them on the EU market.
Who must notify SCIP?
Any supplier of articles on the EU market that contain SVHC at a concentration >0.1 per cent weight/weight. Applicable to manufacturers, importers and distributors. SMEs are not exempt — the obligation is per article, not per company size.
What information must be notified to SCIP?
In accordance with the ECHA guidance (CHEMICALS/echa/SCIP_Information_Requirements.pdf, Sept 2019, 15pp): (i) identification of the article, (ii) name + concentration range + location of the SVHC in the article, (iii) information on safe use and end-of-life management as waste. All in structured XML format.
What is the difference between SCIP and the SVHC Candidate List?
The Candidate List is the public list of substances identified as SVHC under Article 59 of REACH. SCIP is the database where the ARTICLES that contain SVHC from the Candidate List >0.1 per cent are notified. The Candidate List triggers the obligation to notify SCIP — they are sequential mechanisms.
What is the penalty for failing to notify SCIP?
Penalties are defined by each Member State. In Spain (Law 7/2022 Additional Provision 7): fines up to EUR 3,000,000 + an obligation to withdraw the article from the market + an inability to market new articles until the breach is regularised. Random and risk-targeted inspections.
Fuentes oficiales
- European Chemicals Agency2024Regulatory database
- European Parliament and Council · OJEU30 may 2018Regulation in force
- European Chemicals Agency2024Technical guidance
