European healthcare’s phase-out list for chemicals of concern is now available in six European languages. Supporting the removal of hazardous chemicals from healthcare products, the list of criteria has been endorsed by European healthcare organisations and regional authorities.

Developed by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe and leading European healthcare procurement organisations, this new common phase-out list of chemicals of concern will enable procurement organisations across Europe to boost innovation and select safer alternative products for the healthcare sector. The list is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese - access it here.

European healthcare’s phase-out list for chemicals of concern specifies chemicals that should be avoided in products purchased by the healthcare sector, when safer alternatives exist:

• Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs): substances that cause cancer, alter DNA, damage reproductive systems, and other harmful effects
• PVC and Phthalates on the Candidate List, the Restriction List or the Substitute It Now List (SIN List), published by ChemSec
• Bisphenols regulated as a substance group
• Flame retardants or antimicrobial agents restricted as substance groups, unless specifically requested in products for essential use
• Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”.

Our mission is to substitute chemicals that pose a threat to human health and the environment. This phase-out list for healthcare consolidates current requirements and standardises criteria already in use by progressive healthcare institutions leading in this area. This will enable suppliers and procurement organisations to work together more efficiently to phase-out hazardous chemicals.

HCWH Europe will be responsible for reviewing and consolidating the list, supporting procurement in the healthcare sector to streamline chemical requirements in relevant tenders.

We invite our members to endorse and commit to the common phase-out. If your organisation would like to publicly endorse this list, please get in touch <europe@hcwh.org>.