Substances of Very High Concern - SVHC Status

Most of the substances in the EChA Candidate List of SVHC for authorisation - last updated on  19/12/2011 - have been included in our own Shell Lubricants Restricted Substances List for well over 10 years. This means that, during this time, they have been prohibited from use in new formulations developed for Shell Branded Lubricant products. Where they were known to be used in existing formulations, they were high priority for replacement. The only exceptions to this were boric acid and sodium borates. 

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

We are continuing to work with our component suppliers to ensure that these substances are not used in any materials supplied to Shell. Therefore, in order to determine SVHC status of any specific Shell Lubricant products (especially metalworking oils and coolants), we are able to provide product specific declarations on a case-by-case basis only.

For many years boric acid has been widely used in the formulation of lubricating greases, while sodium borates are common ingredients of coolants. Boric acid is also used as 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) (Note 2) . 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 European Commision 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 minor components in some 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 themselve in the SVHC list.

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) (PDF, 105 KB).

Reference 1: ECHA website with SVHC list - opens in new window.

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 ≥5,5% boric acid are required to be labelled Repr. 1B; H360FD - May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. 

Note 2: 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.