Table of Contents
What is SOC?
SOC means “Substance of Concern” or “Substances of very high Concern reach” or “Substance of high Concern”
SOC Substances pose a potential risk to human health and the environment.
Substance of High Concern | Effect on the Environment
- Soil Contamination
- Water Contamination
- Acid Rain
- Expanding Desert
Substance of High Concern | Effect on the Human Body
- Asbestos – Lungs Cancer
- Lead (Pb) – Brain & Bone
- Cr(VI) – Lungs, Kidney, Liver
- Mercury (Hg) – Nervous, Digestive & Immune System
- PBB & PBDE – Stomach & Joints
Substance of Very High Concern List
The substances of very high concern reach list with applications and their adverse effects:
| Substance | Adverse effect | Few Application Area |
| Lead (Pb) | Nervous system | Battery / Paint / Rubber Compound / Solders / Terminals |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Respiratory system | Thick Film Paste for PCB / Glass / Mirror / EV Batteries active material |
| Mercury (Hg) | Nervous system, digestive system and Immune system | Switches / HID Lamps / Display screen Speedometer |
| Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) | Skin Problem | Chrome Passivation |
| Asbestos | Lungs Cancer | Brake Pads / Clutch Disc / Gaskets / PP Containing Talc / Epoxy resin/Adhesives |
| Liver, Stomach, Joints | Lever, Stomach, Joints | Plasticizers for PVC / Rubber/Adhesives/Ink/Epoxy |
| POPs, (e.g. PFOA, PFHXs, DP) Persistent Organic Pollutants | Cancers, birth defects, reproductive systems, and damages to nervous systems. | Lubricants & Flame Retardants for Fabric / Mat /Teflon |
Evolution of SOC Regulations
SOC Regulations History at the World Level:
YEAR 2000 | End-of-Life Vehicle Directive
Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr6+ Restriction of Heavy Metals
YEAR 2006 | RoHS -Restriction of Hazardous Substance
Directive Heavy Metals + PBB + PBDE 4 Phthalates (ROHS3)
YEAR 2007 | REACH
REACH – Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals
YEAR 2012 | Asbestos Prohibition
Asbestos 6 Substances banned
YEAR 2018 | POPs & Phthalates Restriction
Restriction on POPs Substances and 4 Phthalates
SOC Control Contents
“SOC control” contents to be exempt from restriction.
REACH Stands for – Registration Evaluation Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals
SVHC Stands for – Substances of Very High Concern
ELV Stands for – End of Life Vehicles
RoHS Stands for – Restriction of Hazardous Substance
IMDS Stands for – International Material Data System. It helps in achieving Substance Level Analysis. Substance of Concern (SOC) Compliance.
