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What are PBT, vPvB, and SVHC substances? We explain it simply
What are PBT, vPvB, and SVHC substances? A simple guide to understanding the labeling of your cleaning products
Have you ever read the safety data sheet of a cleaning product and come across strange acronyms like PBT, Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative o Substances of Very High ConcernYou are not alone. They are technical terms that almost no one explains in plain English.
We'll translate them for you in under 2 minutes.
PBT: la sustancia que “no se va nunca”
Imagine you throw something in the trash, but instead of disappearing, it stays there forever, gradually accumulating on everything it touches... and on top of that, it hurts.
That's just a substance PBT:
- P for Persistent It doesn't decompose. It can stay in water or on land for years.
- Bioaccumulative It accumulates in living beings (fish, animals, and yes, people too), as if it were being stored in a piggy bank that never empties.
- T for Toxic In addition to everything above, it causes harm.
When a substance meets all three things at once, it is called PBT.
vPvB: la versión “extrema”
There is an even stricter category: Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative (“muy Persistente y muy Bioacumulativo”).
It is not necessary for the substance to be toxic here. It is enough that it is extremely difficult to remove from the environment and accumulate very much in living beings. That's why it's so concerning: even if we stopped using it tomorrow, it would remain present in rivers, soils, and animals for a long time.
SVHC: la “lista negra” europea
Substances of Very High Concern means Substances of Very High Concern, that is to say, Substances of very high concern.
It is an official list created by ECHA (the European agency that monitors chemicals). A substance is added to this list if it is:
- Carcinogen, or affects fertility or the development of the baby during pregnancy, o
- PBT / vPvB (as explained above), o
- Capable of altering the hormonal system
If a product contains any substance from this list above a certain amount, the company is required by law to warn you.
Why are we telling you all this at VAMZ?
Porque la palabra “ecológico” se usa muchísimo en los envases, pero pocas veces se explica why A product is one.
We prefer to be clear: our safety data sheets confirm that → our products contain no PBT, vPvB, or SVHC substances.
Quick summary
| Acronym | What does it mean? | Why does it matter? |
|---|---|---|
| PBT | Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic | It doesn't disappear; it accumulates in the body and is also toxic. |
| Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative | Very persistent and very bioaccumulative | It stays forever and accumulates a lot, even if it's not toxic |
| Substances of Very High Concern | Substance of Very High Concern (ECHA list) | Includes carcinogenic substances, PBT/vPvB, and endocrine disruptors |
Do you have questions about any ingredients in your VAMZ products? Write to us and we'll explain it with data, not marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PBT the same as SVHC?
No. PBT is a type of substance (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic). SVHC is the official ECHA list that includes, among others, PBT and vPvB substances, but also carcinogenic substances and hormone disruptors. In other words: all PBT/vPvB substances can be included in the SVHC list, but the SVHC list includes more categories besides these.
¿Un producto “ecológico” puede tener sustancias SVHC?
Sí, siempre que la cantidad esté por debajo de los límites legales y se informe correctamente. Por eso es tan importante mirar la ficha de seguridad y no fiarse solo de la palabra “ecológico” en el envase.
Why are PBT and vPvB substances such a concern if they are not always toxic?
Because even if they stop being used, they remain in the environment and accumulate in living beings over the years, which can lead to long-term effects that are difficult to reverse.
→ If you want to start with options free of these substances, try our concentrated detergent.📦
