Substances of Very High Concern - SVHC Status

Most of the substances in the EChA Candidate List of SVHC for authorisation - last updated on  19/12/2012 - have been included in our own Shell Lubricants Restricted Substances List for well over 10 years. This means that, during this time, the use of these SVHC in new formulations developed for Shell Branded Lubricant Products has been discouraged. Where they are known to be used in existing formulations, they are high priority for replacement. The only exceptions to this, for reasons outlined hereunder are  boric acid, certain sodium borates and octylphenol ethoxylate.

As further detailed below, based on our current level of knowledge, we are not aware of any Shell Branded Lubricant Products in the active portfolio which includes SVHC other than boric acid, certain sodium borates and octylphenol ethoxylate. Where these boron and octylphenol ethoxylate containing substances are present at greater than  0.1% in a Shell Branded Lubricant Product, this information is included on the relevant product safety data sheet.

We are continuing to work with our component suppliers to ensure that SVHC are not used in any materials supplied to Shell companies. 

Boric acid and sodium borates in Shell lubricants formulations

For many years boric acid has been widely used in Industry for the manufacture of thickeners for lubricating greases, while sodium borates are common ingredients of coolants. Boric acid is also used as an intermediate to prepare DOT 4 type of brake-fluids.

Coolants
Some of our coolants contain an amount between 0.1% and 0.99% of Disodium tetraborate pentahydrate. The concentration is well below the special concentration limits specified along with the publication of the EC decision to classify the substance, and confirmed with the publication of the First ATP of the CLP regulation in September 2009 (Annex VI, Table 3.1)¹. Where this substance is present at 0.1% or more in a Shell Branded Lubricant, this information is included in chapter 3 of the relevant product safety data sheet.

Therefore the component is not affecting the classification and labelling of the finished coolant products. We will keep monitoring status of Disodium tetraborate pentahydrate in ECHA recommendations to the European Commission for inclusion in Annex XIV of REACH.

Brake fluids
Boric acid is used as an intermediate to produce Borated Glycol Ethers that are present as components in DOT 4 type brake fluids placed on the market by Shell Lubricants companies. No unreacted Boric Acid is present in the finished product, and the Borated Glycol Ethers themselves are not classified as dangerous and not included in the ECHA SVHC list.

Grease thickeners
Shell Lubricants companies place on the market some lubricating greases based on Borate complex thickener technology. Such thickeners are obtained via reaction of Boric acid with an excess of strong alkaline base, so that in the finished reacted product no free Boric Acid is left. The resulting Borate complexes are not classified and not listed themselves in the SVHC list. 

Octylphenol ethoxylates in Shell Lubricants formulations
A very small number of our diesel automotive and marine formulations contain less than 0.5% of octylphenol ethoxylate (OPE). The OPE is being replaced in the marine formulations and we are engaging with our suppliers to ensure that the levels of these substances in the materials they provide to us are reduced or eliminated completely. Where this substance is present at 0.1% or more in a Shell Branded Lubricant, this information is included in chapter 3 of the relevant product safety data sheet.

If you need specific information on SVHC status, please contact your usual Shell Lubricants representative or visit the contact us page.

Download a PDF version of this SVHC status page (in English).

References & Notes:

Reference 1: ECHA website with SVHC list.

Note 1: Based on EU CLP Regulation No. 1272/2008 of 16 Dec 2008, Annex VI, Table 3.1, List of harmonized classification and labelling of hazardous substances, as amended by Reg. No 790/2009, 10 Aug 2009, mixtures containing ≥6,5%  Disodium tetraborate pentahydrate are required to be labelled Repr. 1B; H360FD - May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.