Our Capabilities
REACh SVHC Analysis
Intertek approach to on-demand product testing
As part of a managed programme of compliance with the obligations on Substances of Very High Concern encompassed within the REACh regulations it is expected that companies will require testing of products or components, on an ad-hoc or planned basis, in order to respond to consumer requests for information on SVHC content.
A cost-effective approach to this on-demand testing has been developed, which initially utilises qualitative screening. Further quantitative tests are utilised only in the cases where the qualitative screens give negative (or inconclusive) results.
The approach described below is shown schematically below
Note that raw data is retained and can be revisited if there is concern about substances which have been added to the SVHC list subsequent to the analysis.
Product disassembly
This will involve the preparation of the product provided for testing. Essentially there are two options here:
- Separation of the product into component parts, then grouping together all metallic and all organic components. Each group of components is then homogenised – typically by freeze grinding for organic components and by suitable mechanical means for the metals. The homogenised material is then tested, providing a test result that relates to the total component. If SVHCs are found it is then not possible to indicate in which component part they originated.
- Separation of the product into component parts, which are then kept separated for further grinding or mechanical preparation, and tested separately. This route enables the source of any SVHCs found to be determined, but the cost of analysis is increased by the number of component parts tested.
For certain products it may not be practical to completely homogenise the component parts, so that a number of screening tests may be required.
Qualitative Screening
Tests are carried out on the homogenised materials that allow for the elimination of each of the components on the current ECHA SVHC candidate list.
In the case of metal-containing candidates (such as sodium dichromate) an XRF or ICP test is carried out which will quantify the level of the elements present in material. Absence of the appropriate element (chromium in the above case) will allow the candidate substance to be eliminated. If the element (chromium) is detected at levels of concern, further quantitative tests will be required to determine if the SVHC itself is present.
In the case of organic candidates an appropriate screen, such as GC-MS will indicate the absence or potential presence of the candidate material. Again, a positive indication will require further specific tests to be carried out to confirm the identification and quantification of the SVHC.
Quantitative Tests
In general these will only be required if a component fails the qualitative screens – though some clients may prefer for quantitative tests for the specific organic SVHCs to be carried out in all cases. Tests are specific to each individual SVHC on the candidate list.
Organic substances and tributyl-tin will be analysed by GC or LC methods as appropriate after further solvent extraction. In these cases the methods will be calibrated using the relevant standard solutions so as to enable quantitation of the results.
Inorganic compounds such as cobalt dichloride, diarsenic pentaoxide and trioxide and sodium dichromate are more difficult to speciate, especially when incorporated at low levels within an inert matrix. The strategy with these substances would be to carry out a fully quantitative elemental analysis by ICP-MS, including (as appropriate) analysis for hexavalent chromium or pentavalent arsenic. Comparison of the relative levels of different elements will allow for the elimination of further substances – e.g. arsenic with no lead eliminates lead hydrogen arsenate.
Nevertheless, if, for example pentavalent arsenic is detected at levels above the SVHC limit it will be difficult to determine categorically the As5+ compound present. However – it should be noted that in general all such substances would be of concern!
Additional Substance Analysis
Products can also be analysed for a wide range of additional substances of potential concern, some of which may be added to the ECHA candidate list at a later date. Examples of such substances include formaldehyde, bisphenol A, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perfluoro-octane sulphonate (PFOS). The cost of such measurements will be quoted on request.
Advice is available, so make the call +44 (0) 1642 435788 or email Isla at msgreach@intertek.com
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