1. What is authorization?

The principle of authorization is described in Title VII of the REACh regulation. It covers two distinct and consecutive procedures:

• drawing up the list of substances subject to authorization (Annex XIV);

• the application for authorization to use the substance concerned and its appraisal.

This risk management tool dedicated to SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern – Substance extrêmement préoccupantes) impacts all players in the supply chain. It is an evolving process that imposes two levels of constraints:

• information obligations linked to the use of a substance on the candidate list ;

• prior authorization for the use of a substance listed in Annex XIV.