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The Netherlands attaches great importance to the substance list and welcomes large-scale updates

Time：

2023-09-15

The Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environment has announced an important update to the country's High Concern Substances List (ZZS), which covers a total of 61 new substances. As of now, the total number of substances on the ZZS list has exceeded 2200.

On September 4, 2023, the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM) of the Netherlands released a press release announcing a significant update to the Dutch National List of Substances of High Concern (ZZS) in August. This update covers a total of 61 new substances, and the total number of substances on the ZZS list has exceeded 2200.

The substances on the ZZS list are hazardous substances of special concern and priority treatment by the Dutch government, as they may have reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, or accumulate in the food chain, posing potential risks to humans and ecosystems. These substances can come into contact with humans through pathways such as the environment (air, water, soil), food, workplace, or household chemicals. In addition to the ZZS list, RIVM has also developed a List of Potential Substances of High Concern (pZZS), which lists substances that may have high concern hazard characteristics studied by EU member states under the REACH regulatory framework.

Identification standards for ZZS substances:

The identification of ZZS substances follows Article 57 of the REACH regulation (EU 1907/2006) and has one or more of the following characteristics:

carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive toxicity
Persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT)
High persistence and high bioaccumulation (vPvB)
Other similar characteristics of concern (such as endocrine disruptors)

Regarding the identification method of ZZS substances:

ZZS substances can be identified according to the following European laws and treaties:

a) Class 1A or 1B substances classified as C, M, or R according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation);

b) Substances included in the list of substances of high concern (SVHC) in Annex XIV of the REACH regulation;

c) Substances of concern in the EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021;

d) Key hazardous substances in the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EG);

e) Substances on the list of priority chemicals for action under the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeastern Atlantic (OSPAR).

In addition to the substances listed in the above regulations/conventions, the ZZS list also includes the following substances:

1) Substances subject to restrictions according to Annex XVII of the REACH regulation;

2) Classified as substances that must be minimized (MVP) or high-risk substances (ERS) according to the Dutch Air Emissions Guidelines;

3) Substances that have been identified as PBT/vPvB before the REACH regulations come into effect;

4) Other substances that exist in the RIVM website search system and belong to a certain substance group on the ZZS list.

The ZZS substance list should be updated at least twice a year. Prior to this update, 14 and 10 new substances were added in January and April of this year, respectively.

ZZS Restriction Policy:

Source management: Prevent ZZS substances from entering the environment by replacing them with less hazardous substances and/or adjusting processes.
Minimize: If it is not possible to completely prevent the emission of ZZS substances, minimize their emissions.
Continuous improvement: Enterprises need to study the possibility of further reducing emissions.
Promote innovation and substitution: Replace ZZS substances with less hazardous substances or use alternative processes to reduce or stop the use and release of ZZS substances.

Enterprises that emit ZZS substances must develop Avoidance and Reduction Plans (VRPs) and report to regulatory authorities every five years.

The following link provides a complete list of ZZS substances: https://rvszoeksysteem.rivm.nl/ZZSlijst/TotaleLijst