V
vPvB Substance
Definition
A vPvB (very Persistent, very Bioaccumulative) substance meets the more stringent persistence and bioaccumulation criteria in REACH Annex XIII: persistence (degradation half-life >60 days in marine water or >180 days in marine sediment) and bioaccumulation (BCF >5,000). vPvB substances qualify as SVHCs under REACH Article 57(e) and are prioritised for Candidate List inclusion and potential Annex XIV listing. Like PBT substances, no safe level (DNEL/PNEC) can be derived for vPvB substances.
Source
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 57(e) and Annex XIII.
Practical Explanation (Compliance Context)
vPvB substances require emission minimisation rather than risk limit compliance. Companies manufacturing or using vPvB substances should implement best available techniques to reduce environmental releases to the minimum technically and economically feasible. The REACH Recast is expected to expand the vPvB criteria to include mobile substances (PMT/vPvM framework), broadening the scope of Annex XIII assessment.