The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, has added new chemicals to its Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) for authorization, explaining that 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone, 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one, and diisohexyl phthalate were added because of their reproductive toxicity. Another substance, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, was added due to concerns over its “probable serious effects to human health and the environment.” According to ECHA, the former two substances are used in polymer production. Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid is used in polymer manufacture, in chemical synthesis, and as a flame retardant in polycarbonate for electronic equipment. Diisohexyl phthalate is not yet registered under REACH, the EU’s regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. Identifying a substance as an SVHC and including it in the Candidate List is the first step of the authorization procedure under REACH. More information can be found in ECHA’s announcement.