ChemSec has added 21 hazardous substances to its SIN List, including three neurotoxicants, the first of their kind, marking a pivotal moment in EU chemical regulation. Published on 14 October 2025, the update positions brain-damaging substances as emerging threats equal in concern to PFAS, persistent pollutants, and other highly hazardous chemicals. The move underscores growing pressure on policymakers and industry stakeholders to address regulatory gaps in chemical safety across supply chains.
Neurotoxicants: An Underregulated Health Hazard
The newly listed neurotoxicants represent a significant expansion of ChemSec’s SIN List, a database of over 1,400 chemicals identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). These compounds are linked to irreversible damage to the human brain and nervous system, often with delayed symptom onset. Despite this, they remain insufficiently regulated within the European Union.
Anne-Sofie Bäckar, Executive Director of ChemSec, emphasised that “there’s already enough scientific evidence to act”. The substances have been shown to impair cognitive functions and increase the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. Exposure during early developmental stages, especially in utero or early childhood, can lead to lifelong effects. EU-wide economic losses are estimated in the tens of billions of euros annually due to neurotoxic exposure in children.
PMT and vPvM Substances Join the List
In addition to neurotoxicants, the update includes 18 persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) chemicals. These substances pose serious environmental risks due to their ability to migrate through water systems and resist degradation. Often overshadowed by PFAS, their pollution potential could lead to "insurmountable costs", warns Bäckar.
One estimate places the annual cost of cleaning Europe’s waters of such pollutants at around €100 billion, more than double the total yearly sales of the European chemical sector.
Industry Guidance and Legislative Implications
The SIN List, developed by non-profit ChemSec in collaboration with scientists and policy advisors, serves as a proactive compliance tool aligned with REACH criteria. It helps companies and investors phase out chemicals likely to face future restrictions. The inclusion of neurotoxicants may signal future amendments to the EU’s Candidate List and reinforce momentum for stricter chemical control across product lifecycles.
