Public access to SCIP database entries

As of 15.09.2021, access to the entries in the SCIP database is open to the public.

Background

Since January 5th, 2021, companies in the EU are required to register their products in the SCIP database of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) if they contain certain hazardous substances (SVHCs). One intention of this regulation to promote a circular economy. Above all, the database is intended to support recycling companies in identifying hazardous substances in products in order to exclude risks to human health and the environment.
The database is accessible to the authorities as well as any other interested party or individual. After the release of the database has been postponed due to technical difficulties, a first version of the database is accessible since mid-September 2021.

Search for products

The picture above shows the search mask of the database. In this first version of the database, it is possible to filter the registered products according to different criteria:

• Article Identity: This includes the article name as well as the article identifier (e.g., article number, EAN, …)
• Article category: Here you can filter for products according to the TARIC codes
• Material & Mixture category: Within the material category, you can search for the material of the product using the category list defined by ECHA
• Substance of concern: A sorting according to the substances of the candidate list (SVHC according to REACH Art. 57) can be done here
• Concern/Reason for inclusion: Under this selection you can filter according to the reason for inclusion of the SVHC in the candidate list

A combination of different filter criteria or search entries is possible.

Identification of SCIP IDs

One of the frequently raised issues with the current version is the missing possibility to search for SCIP IDs. This option would make it possible to check SCIP IDs provided by suppliers for referencing the supplier’s declaration in more complex products. As of October 2021, there is still no possibility to do this, as a check in IUCLID 6 is also not feasible.

A consultation with ECHA revealed that this function is to be implemented in a future update or in the course of a functional extension. However, ECHA was unable to provide more precise information on the implementation date.

In summary, it can be stated that despite the legally binding update of the Waste Framework Directive on 05.01.2021 and the associated information obligations, the technical prerequisites to achieve compliance with reasonable effort still leave much to be desired. Despite the persisting barriers, manufacturers and suppliers of products are well advised to continue the development of strategies to address this topic.

You can learn more about Material Compliance in general here.