Expertenthemenbeschreibung Substance Policy

Substance Policy

Managing problematic substances safely

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Substance policy deals with the regulation of substances and the obligations associated with them. In the area of product-related environmental protection, such as the REACH Regulation or the RoHS Directive, substances used in products must not be hazardous.

Therefore, companies need to know which hazardous substances are contained in products they purchase, process and import. The topic of substance policy also impacts corporate occupational health and safety.

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MidiJumpmarks

Empfehlung Stoffwirtschaft

RecommendedTIPP

exklusiv

  • SCIP data base
The SCIP-Verbändeinformation, which was first developed in November 2020 together with eight other associations, has been revised.

Empfehlung Cockpit Stoffpolitik

Your guide through the regulatory jungleTIPP

exklusiv

  • Factsheet REACH

The VDMA regulation cockpit offers compact factsheets on the most important regulations for the mechanical and plant engineering industry - comprehensible, practical and at a glance. You will find out which sectors are affected, what the timetable looks like, where there is a need for action and what sanctions are to be expected. A valuable guide for all companies that want to prepare for the new requirements at an early stage.

Factsheet: REACH

From our content

From our content
"Consider the impact on the entire value chain"

The EU is pursuing the right goal of minimizing its dependence on China in the steel sector. However, a holistic approach is required that takes the entire value chain into account.

Consultation on the restrict proposal for chromium(VI) substances

The ECHA has published a proposal to restrict chromium(VI) substances. Comments on this proposal can be submitted as part of a public consultation. The VDMA asks affected companies to participate.

EU Commission publishes its Chemicals Package on 8 July 2025

The Chemicals Package includes the 6th Omnibus (‘Chemicals’), a proposal to provide ECHA with additional resources and an action plan, including ‘Providing Clarity on PFAS’.

VDMA regulatory cockpit - exclusive for you as a member!

The VDMA regulatory cockpit provides you with a central, practical overview of current and upcoming regulations. It helps you identify relevant information at an early stage, evaluate it strategically, and derive concrete measures.

ECHA publishes proposal to restrict chromium(VI) substances

ECHA has been tasked by the European Commission to develop a proposal for the restriction of various chromium(VI) substances. The proposal was published at the end of April 2025 and can be commented on from mid-June.

State-level PFAS restrictions in the USA

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not only the focus of substance restrictions within the EU but are increasingly being restricted on the state-level in the USA.

PFAS ban from VDMA's point of view: position paper published

Due to environmental and potential health hazards, the EU intends to restrict the broad group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH regulation.

Impending PFAS ban - massive consequences for mechanical engineering and plant construction

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are currently polarizing opinion. The EU has come out in favor of a blanket ban on around 10,000 chemicals in this group of substances. At first glance, a well-intentioned approach to protecting the environment, but the announcement puts important industries at risk.

REACh restriction project on PFASs

On 07.02.2023 ECHA has pre-published the restriction dossier on the broad restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

SCIP Association Information: Revised version available

The SCIP-Verbändeinformation, which was first developed in November 2020 together with eight other associations, has been revised.

Successfully populate SCIP database

Since the beginning of the year, suppliers in the EU have been obliged to report products containing substances of very high concern.

EU Chemicals Strategy and ECHA 5-Year Report

The EU Green Deal sets a high goal for a pollution-free environment. The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability of October 2020 is one of the implementations of this goal.

Material Compliance - Knowing and fulfilling manufacturer obligations

What are the manufacturer obligations in the area of material compliance and how can they be fulfilled?

Basics SCIP database: recording and documents of the third web info day are available

On 21 January 2021, the VDMA held its third web infoday with the main topic "Basics of the SCIP database".

What does the SVHC listing of a substance mean?

The use of chemical substances shall be made traceable from production to end use in order to minimise risks for humans and the environment.

VDMA commissions a joint expert opinion on the SCIP database

The expert opinion, commissioned jointly with ZVEI, BDI, BDLI and VDA, addresses the information to be provided via Article 33(1) REACH and the delayed provision of the database.

SCIP database: Documents of the second Web Info Day are available

The VDMA held the second Web Info Day on 26 November 2020. In an exchange with over 400 participants, the event focused on the topics "SCIP" and "Material Compliance".

To the point

To the point

Auf den Punkt Zitat Stoffwirtschaft

"With the European SCIP database, a huge bureaucratic wave is barreling toward the manufacturers of complex products. It is uncertain whether the goal of improving the recyclability of products and the substances they contain will be achieved in accordance with a recycling economy."

Thilo Brodtmann, VDMA Executive Director

Auf den Punkt Zahl Stoffwirtschaft

58.000

SCIP notifications

Companies expect this number on average during the first year.

Source: VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Stoffwirtschaft

Summary
RoHS Directive: a navigation aid through the regulatory framework
  • Guidance on definitions of "large fixed installation" and "large tools" is given in the EU Commission's FAQ paper
  • It is unclear how the exemptions for alloys containing lead, which are relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering sector, will continue to apply
  • Review of "RoHS 2" scheduled for 2021

Events

Events

Tue. 25.11.25 Wed. 26.11.25

  • Power-to-X

The fourth edition of "From Production to Application: The #P2X Conference" will again focus on practical and technical challenges along the entire value chain of hydrogen and downstream products

Places available

Tue. 25.11.25 Thu. 27.11.25

  • Energy
  • Trade Fairs
  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
  • Heat Pumps

HEATEXPO in Dortmund offers exhibitors and trade visitors a perfect platform for an exchange between politicians, municipal utilities and suppliers on current topics in the field of heat supply.

HEATEXPO in Dortmund offers exhibitors and trade visitors a perfect platform for an exchange between politicians, municipal utilities and suppliers on current topics in the field of heat supply.

Wed. 26.11.25 Wed. 26.11.25

  • Energy
  • Heat Pumps

The heating transition needs strong impetus - and large heat pumps will play an important role in this in the future.

Places available

Thu. 27.11.25 Thu. 27.11.25

  • Wind Turbines
  • Renewable Energy

On November 27, 2025, leading industry representatives, political decision-makers, innovators and other partners from the wind industry will meet at the RECHARGE Wind Power Summit 2025 at the CCH - Congress Center Hamburg.

On November 27, 2025, leading industry representatives, political decision-makers, innovators and other partners from the wind industry will meet at the RECHARGE Wind Power Summit 2025 at the CCH - Congress Center Hamburg.

Fri. 28.11.25 Fri. 28.11.25

exclusive

  • Industrial Valves
  • Building Valves
  • VDMA Specifications
  • Valves

Product Category Rules (PCRs) are specific rules & requirements that define how the environmental product declaration should be prepared for a specific product category. They contain instructions for carrying out the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or for creating Product Carbon Footprints (PCF). This makes them a key tool for ensuring consistency, transparency and ecological comparability between products with the same function.

Places available

Mon. 01.12.25 Mon. 01.12.25

exclusive

  • Fuel Cells

Einwahl: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NGFjMzY3YTktZWE5YS00MDBkLTljMmEtODdmZGExZTZkZjJi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2220d62e7b-4420-48d0-ba3f-70cadc237837%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%227a478978-eb3f-4a93-932d-f1bbdf50c494%22%7d

Places available

Asset Publisher

More VDMA services

More VDMA services
Substance Policy Working Group
The working group develops positions which are then presented during consultations and other events. New legislative proposals and substance regulations are discussed in order to determine how they will be affected.
Accompanying the topic of substance regulation for members
Substance regulations ranging from CLP classification and SVHC listing down to authorization or restriction, as well as new legislative projects will be accompanied.
Info days and help with inquiries
During our twice-yearly Info Days entitled "Material Compliance", we provide information on various aspects of product-related environmental protection in and outside the EU. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. The area of material policy includes topics such as hazardous substances, REACH, SCIP (WasteRRL/ChemG) or material issues concerning RoHS/ElektroStoffV.

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