An App for checking substances of very high concern in articles launched in Luxembourg

The launch of the consumer App developed in the framework of the EU LIFE AskREACH project, in collaboration with the REACH&CLP Helpdesk Luxembourg and the IT for Innovative Services (ITIS) department of Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology has begun. In Luxembourg and in several other project partner countries, the App is called Scan4Chem, but also goes under the names Tjek Kemien, Pytaj o chemię, Kemikalieappen and ToxFox. The App is launched in 14 European countries, starting with Sweden, Luxembourg and Germany who already have theirs in the App stores. The free-of-charge App allows consumers to easily request information about the presence of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in articles from suppliers. The underlying consumers’ “right to know” is established in the EU chemicals regulation REACH, Article 33(2).

“Get your App at Google Play or App Store.”

Scan4Chem, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

    

By using the App consumers can scan the barcode of an article and send a request to the supplier in order to obtain information about the presence of SVHCs in that article above a 0.1% (weight/weight) threshold.

Product suppliers can submit their article information to the database connected to the App so that the information is readily available for the next requesters. The more suppliers enter SVHC article information in the Europe-wide database, the easier it will become for consumers to immediately receive SVHC information for the articles they are scanning.

To stimulate suppliers submitting information in the database, consumers need to show an interest and actively send information requests. The success of the Scan4Chem App lies also in the hands of consumers!

Every consumer product, such as toys, clothing, furniture, electronics, etc. may be checked for containing SVHCs. Product groups not included are those that have an ingredient list, like food, cosmetics, household chemicals, etc. which are not covered by REACH Art. 33(2).

This particular aspect of the REACH regulation is currently under interest following the latest results from a European enforcement project on substances in articles, in which 12% of the inspected articles found on the European market contained SVHCs.

For any technical issues or questions, consumers may contact their respective local administrator (find the list here).

The App is already available in Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden and will later on belaunched in Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France,  Greece, Latvia, Lithuania,  Poland, Portugal andSerbia.  and the App should be available in these countries in the beginning of 2020. The ultimate aim is to establish the App in most European countries over the next three years.