SATRA’s restricted substances services

Announcing the release of SATRA’s new RSLs.

The September editions of SATRA’s Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs) are now available to download from our website (www.satra.com/services/chemical-compliance). These provide a summary of key legal requirements that suppliers of articles will need to be aware of, with particular focus on requirements in the EU and UK.

SATRA publishes three versions of this document – one covering all consumer goods and two separate documents tailored to the footwear and furniture industries. Also available are our guide to REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), and a summary of high-risk substances listed within California Proposition 65.

RSLs provide an invaluable tool to help brands to manage chemical compliance, which can be a daunting task. With new scientific discoveries and a growing need to reduce environmental impact, chemical legislation is continually evolving, and it is essential that suppliers understand how these changes impact their products and processes.

What form of RSL is best for you?

One of the key questions that brands face when developing their compliance strategy is whether to implement their own policies or reply upon third-party publications. The key advantage of implementing a brand RSL is that it gives more control – the list can be tailored to specific product types and markets to ensure that it only includes substances that are relevant to that brand.

A branded RSL can also help to inspire consumer confidence, standing as a declaration that the brand does not allow the use of harmful chemicals in its products. However, in order for an RSL to be useful, it must remain accurate, which requires regular reviews and updates to incorporate changes. This can be challenging to achieve, as it requires time, personnel resources and a high level of technical knowledge to interpret the legislation. For this reason, many brands choose to utilise third-party publications such as the SATRA RSLs to manage their chemical compliance.

An alternative option is for brands to work with compliance experts to develop and maintain their own RSL. This approach combines the benefits of a branded document with the valuable technical knowledge from dedicated experts in the field.

SATRA offers a bespoke service to tailor our existing RSL publications to meet the needs of individual brands. This could include focusing on specific materials, products or regions to create a document that covers the essential legal requirements that apply to your business. These documents would be reviewed every six months alongside our own RSLs, ensuring that they continue to be up to date.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 8 of the October 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

---