As part of the EU’s push for a safer and more sustainable circular economy, companies placing articles on the EU market must now comply with stringent information requirements concerning hazardous substances. One such obligation is the SCIP notification, a key provision under the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD 2008/98/EC).
What is SCIP?
SCIP stands for Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products). It refers to a notification obligation for articles containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) above a specific threshold. Since January 5, 2021, all articles circulating within the EU containing SVHCs in concentrations above 0.1% w/w must be notified to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
The submitted information is stored in the SCIP database, a publicly accessible platform designed to promote transparency and safe use of articles throughout their entire lifecycle—including the waste stage.
Why is SCIP Important?
The SCIP notification aims to:
Enable better tracking of hazardous substances in products;
Encourage substitution of harmful chemicals with safer alternatives;
Facilitate waste management by removing problematic substances from recycled materials;
Support a circular economy by improving material recovery and reuse.
Who Must Submit a SCIP Notification?
The obligation applies to the following operators within the EU:
Producers of articles
Importers
Assemblers (who integrate articles into complex products)
Distributors
However, retailers selling exclusively to consumers, waste operators, and non-EU companies are not directly obligated to submit SCIP notifications. Companies may support their supply chain by appointing a third party as technical support.
When Must SCIP Notification Be Submitted?
For articles placed on the market before January 5, 2021: notifications should have been submitted from that date onward.
For articles produced or imported after January 5, 2021: notification must be submitted before the first placement on the EU market.
What Information Must Be Provided?
A valid SCIP notification must include:
Article identification: name, part number, category (based on harmonized lists), etc;
Information on SVHCs: name, CAS number, and concentration range, etc;
Safe use instructions: guidance for users and waste handlers.
How Does the SCIP Notification Process Work?
The process typically involves:
Dossier preparation: Use IUCLID (online or offline) to compile the required data;
Submission: Upload via ECHA’s Submission Portal, or integrate via system-to-system (S2S) submission from your internal IT systems;
Submission report: Confirmation of receipt and tracking for compliance purposes.
SCIP vs. Other SVHC Requirements
| Requirement | Regulation | Trigger Threshold | Applicable Parties | Outcome |
| SVHC Notification | REACH Article 7(2) | >0.1% (w/w) & >1t/y | EU producers/importers | Notification number from ECHA |
| SVHC Communication | REACH Article 33 | >0.1% (w/w) | All article suppliers | Safety information to recipients |
| SCIP Notification | REACH Article 33 + WFD 9(1)(i) | >0.1% (w/w) | EU Producers, importers, assemblers, distributors | Submission report from ECHA |
Our Services
We offer comprehensive SCIP compliance support:
Third-party agency services: For companies.
SVHC Compliance Solutions: End-to-end support from identification to notification.
Article Compliance Assessment: Evaluate products for SCIP triggers.
SCIP Notification Services: Data preparation, submission, and reporting.
Regulatory Consulting & Training: Customized guidance to build in-house capacity.
