SCIP Database
SCIP
Definition
The SCIP database (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects in Products) is a publicly accessible database operated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Submissions have been mandatory since 5 January 2021 under Article 9(1)(i) of the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). Any company that supplies an article containing a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) above 0.1% weight by weight must submit information to SCIP before or when placing the product on the EU market.
What must be submitted
A SCIP notification must include:
- Article identifier — name, trade name, article number, or other identifier enabling unique product identification
- Substance information — the SVHC(s) present, concentration range, and location in the product/component
- Safe use information — instructions for safe use and waste management of the article
SCIP submissions are structured using ECHA's Substance Data Exchange Format (SDXF) and submitted via the IUCLID Cloud platform.
Why SCIP matters for DPP
The SCIP database and Digital Product Passports serve an overlapping purpose: making substance-of-concern data available to waste operators and recyclers so they can safely handle products at end of life.
ESPR Article 9 requires DPPs to include "substances of concern" data — which maps directly to the information already collected for SCIP submissions. Companies that established SCIP compliance workflows from 2021 onwards have a structural head start on DPP substance data:
- The same SVHC identification process applies
- The same 0.1% w/w threshold applies
- The article-level substance location data needed for SCIP is the same data needed for DPP
The key difference is format and access: SCIP is a centralised ECHA database, while DPP substance data is embedded in the product's digital record and accessible via QR code at the point of collection or recycling.
Public access
The SCIP database is publicly accessible via ECHA's dissemination portal. Waste operators and recyclers can search by product type, substance, or company to identify articles containing SVHCs — enabling proper separation and handling at end-of-life facilities.
Related terms
- SVHC — the substances that trigger SCIP notification obligations
- REACH — the chemicals regulation that defines SVHCs
- Digital Product Passport (DPP) — the product-level data system that extends SCIP's function
- Economic Operator — the entity responsible for SCIP submissions