The SCIP (Substances of Concern In Products) database is facing a fundamental change: on December 10, 2025, the European Commission presented a comprehensive simplification package in environmental law. This includes a formal legislative proposal to amend the Waste Framework Directive, which explicitly provides for the abolition of the SCIP database and the associated reporting obligation.

What is the SCIP database and why is it important?
The SCIP database was introduced by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2021. It is used by companies to report information on substances of very high concern (SVHC) in articles. This obligation arises from the current Waste Framework Directive (WFD). The aim was to create transparency along the supply chain and to protect consumers and recycling companies from hazardous substances.

What is the EU Commission proposing?
Specifically, Article 9 of Directive 2008/98/EC (Waste Framework Directive) is to be amended to remove the obligation to report under SCIP. The Commission is thus responding to ongoing criticism that the SCIP obligation causes a high level of bureaucracy and has only limited practical benefits.

The proposal is part of an “omnibus” legislative package aimed at reducing administrative burdens in various areas. The EU Directorate-General for Environment has published several documents (including COM(2025) 980 to 986) detailing the planned legislative changes.

Official communication and current status
At the same time as presenting the package, the Commission published a press release and the communication “Simplifying for sustainable competitiveness.” This clearly states that the SCIP reporting obligation is to be abolished in order to reduce the burden on companies.

Important: This is still only a proposal. The amendment will only come into force and be published in the EU Official Journal once it has been adopted by Parliament and the Council. Until then, companies must continue to submit SCIP reports.

Why is it being abolished?
The Commission justifies the move with “disproportionately high compliance costs” and low usage by the intended target groups (e.g., waste disposal and recycling companies). In addition, the database has often resulted in duplication of work, as similar information requirements already exist under REACH (Article 33).

What will replace it?
The SCIP database will be replaced by modern digital solutions in the future:

• Digital product passport for products
• One Substance One Assessment – a uniform assessment portal for chemicals

These approaches are intended to integrate the information previously reported in SCIP and make it available along the supply chain – without separate reports to a special register.

Transitional arrangement
A long transition period is not planned. The SCIP reporting obligation will apply until the new directive comes into force and will then end immediately. ECHA will continue to store the data stored up to that point, but will no longer accept new reports. Companies must therefore continue to report in the short term, but can expect to be completely relieved of this obligation in the medium term – probably within the next 1–2 years.

We are here to support you

With our SCIP training courses, you will be well prepared for your SCIP notifications. You can find the next training dates here.

Do you need someone to take care of your SCIP obligations? Then you can rely on our expertise and entrust all tasks to us with confidence. Simply make an appointment for a free solution check.