In a major update, ChemSec adds 21 new hazardous substances to the SIN List. Comprising over 1,400 toxic industrial chemicals to avoid in the supply chain, the SIN List remains one of the world’s most progressive benchmarks for sustainable chemical management.

The most notable additions include three neurotoxicants — a first in the SIN List’s history.

Neurotoxicants — a new frontier for chemical regulation

Neurotoxic chemicals are underregulated in the European Union — even though they pose a serious and growing threat to public health. These substances have been particularly difficult to regulate, as their harmful effects often take many years to appear. With this update, ChemSec identifies chemicals that cause irreversible neurotoxic effects and demonstrates that they should be treated as “equivalent level of concern” to other highly hazardous substances such as PFAS.

This step paves the way for future legislation. Just as ChemSec previously highlighted PMT substances before they were formally recognised in law, the organisation is once again showing that several neurotoxic chemicals are already dangerous enough to qualify for inclusion on the EU Candidate List.

“We want to show regulators that there’s already enough scientific evidence to act”

Anne-Sofie Bäckar

“These are the first chemicals added to the SIN List solely because of their neurotoxic properties. It’s an important step because these substances can harm the brain and nervous system, even at low levels of exposure. We want to show regulators that there’s already enough scientific evidence to act — just as we did with PMT substances years ago”, says Anne-Sofie Bäckar, Executive Director at ChemSec.

Neurotoxicants can impair memory, learning, and behaviour — and, in severe cases, contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. The developing brain is especially vulnerable: even small exposures during pregnancy or early childhood can cause lifelong damage. These effects are irreversible and extremely costly to society; the EU alone loses tens of billions of euros each year due to children’s exposure to neurotoxic substances such as lead.

PMTs — the hidden water contaminators

The update also adds 18 persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) substances to the SIN List. These chemicals stay in the environment for a long time and easily move through soil and water, contaminating rivers, groundwater, and drinking water across large regions. Once released, they are almost impossible to remove.

“The costs of pollution of PMT/vPvM chemicals could reach insurmountable levels”

Anne-Sofie Bäckar

“This is the second time we add PMT substances to the SIN List. While they’re often overshadowed by the more well-known PFAS group, the costs of pollution of PMT/vPvM chemicals could reach insurmountable levels if emissions are not stopped”, says Ms Bäckar.

Persistent chemicals build up in the environment. Many PFAS are PMT, and for these, we already see that use and emissions drive up cleanup costs dramatically. Estimates suggest that removing even part of these pollutants from Europe’s waters could cost around €100 billion each year — more than twice the annual sales of the entire European chemical industry.

The SIN List

Learn which chemicals your company should avoid

Visit the SIN List

What is the SIN List?

The SIN List (Substitute It Now) identifies hazardous chemicals used in a wide range of products and industrial processes worldwide. It’s based on the same hazard criteria as the EU’s chemicals regulation REACH for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and serves as a proactive guide for companies that want to stay ahead of legislation by phasing out dangerous substances before they are banned.

Developed by ChemSec, a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with scientists, technical experts, and an advisory committee from academia, industry, and public authorities, the SIN List is built on credible, publicly available data and peer-reviewed science.

Today, it includes over 1,400 substances of very high concern, providing a clear roadmap for companies, investors, and policymakers working toward a non-toxic future.