ECHA Opens Consultation on Four Substances for REACH Annex XIV

The consultation was published on 2 February 2026 and runs until 2 May 2026, closing at 23:59 Helsinki time. ECHA notes that prioritisation relies mainly on registration dossier information on uses and volumes, and it encourages registrants to keep dossiers up to date.

Substances Under Consultation

ECHA’s consultation lists the following substances, each already identified on the Candidate List as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on different hazard grounds:

• Bumetrizole (UV-326) (EC 223-445-4, CAS 3896-11-5), identified as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) under Article 57(e)
• UV-329 (EC 221-573-5, CAS 3147-75-9), also identified as vPvB under Article 57(e)
• Triphenyl phosphate (EC 204-112-2, CAS 115-86-6), identified under Article 57(f) due to endocrine-disrupting properties for the environment
• 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (EC 438-340-0, CAS 119344-86-4), identified under Article 57(c) as toxic for reproduction, Category 1B (H360Df)

Typical Uses and Why ECHA Prioritised Them

In ECHA’s draft background documentation, UV-326 and UV-329 are described as UV stabilisers used across plastics, rubber and resins, as well as in coatings, adhesives, sealants, lubricants, cleaning products and inks, and in a wide range of articles. Triphenyl phosphate is described as a flame retardant and plasticiser with uses in polymer formulations, adhesives and sealants, coatings and paints, and in a broad range of articles, including electrical and electronic equipment and textiles, with some reported uses in cosmetics and personal care. The photoinitiator is described as primarily used for UV inks and coatings in industrial and professional printing.

ECHA reports EU use volumes within the authorisation scope ranging from 100 to less than 10,000 tonnes per year, depending on the substance, with wide-dispersive industrial, professional and, for several substances, consumer and article uses.

What to Watch Next

ECHA indicates a standard approach to transitional arrangements in Annex XIV, with a latest application date around 18 to 24 months after inclusion and a sunset date 18 months later, while review periods or exemptions would be set later through authorisation decisions.

Summary

For companies making, importing or using materials and articles that may contain these substances, the consultation is a key opportunity to provide use information and potential exemption arguments. Early preparation can reduce disruption if Annex XIV inclusion later translates into authorisation obligations for specific uses.