Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Proven track record, broad scope
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are the most harmful chemicals to humans and the environment in the category of hazardous substances. Addressing SVHC involves various stakeholders in the value chain, in particular the industry and the (semi) public sector, such as municipalities or water authorities.
SVHC refers to chemicals that may be carcinogenic, mutagenic, persistent and bioaccumulative, or harmful to reproduction. A prime example is PFAS, a collective term for chemical compounds used in (consumer) products, ranging from non-stick pans to smartphones and chip manufacturing machines.
Why Witteveen+Bos?
Witteveen+Bos heeft voor lokale overheden, waterschappen, rijksoverheid en de industrie een gedegen track record opgebouwd met een brede scope aan advisering (beleid/strategie, preventie/mitigatie, sanerings- en destructietechnieken).
An optimal and integrated solution
We seek the best solution for society, taking into account the environment, risks and costs. In doing so, we combine expertise from various disciplines (such as technical, legal, chemical, toxicological and environmental).
Independent advice
We provide objective, ethically sound and strategic/practical advice to industry and public authorities, and are not tied to any specific technologies or products.
Up-to-date
As we are always fully up-to-date with the relevant laws and regulations, policy developments and case law, we are also capable of giving our clients strategic advice relating to the medium term.
Research/knowledge sharing
Collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial to a (cost-)effective and efficient approach. Through pilot projects (water, soil) that we carry out with partners and clients, we aim to apply fundamental insights in practice and then scale them up.
Industry
Companies that use or produce these substances must comply with legal obligations, such as extremely strict emission standards, provide information on the risks associated with their use, and develop policies to minimise the environmental impact of SVHC/PFAS.
If companies are unable to prevent emissions of SVHC/PFAS, they are required to demonstrate that they ‘have a clear understanding of the scale of emissions and are continuing to minimise them’. To comply with that requirement, the company must conduct an investigation every five years to substantiate how it is fulfilling this minimalisation obligation.
Public authorities
Local authorities (municipalities, provincial governments, water authorities) play a key role in addressing SVHC/PFAS, specifically through their powers regarding indirect discharges from businesses and the enforcement of permits and environmental regulations concerning, for example, soil quality.
These public authorities receive support from the Dutch government and have resources at their disposal to limit spread and implement projects, such as the operating framework for soil and dredged material containing PFAS, or can access specific central government grants (SPUK funding) for addressing soil contamination.
Other measures include amendments to permits, discharge monitoring and further clarification of the duty of care in cases of soil contamination.
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