Table 2 Definitions and terms: different types of a mixture (according to, i.e. [10] and current definitions under REACH

“Substance”

Defined in REACH. Mono-component or multi-component substance (MCS), substance of unknown or variable composition or biological materials (UVCB)

“Article”

Defined in REACH. Composition of different components on the basis of a specific function

“Mixture”

Defined in REACH. Intentionally formulated mixture marketed as such. On a general level the term mixture may refer to both intentional and unintentional mixtures

Aggregated exposure/effects

Effects or exposures of single substance via multiple pathways/life cycle steps entering the same environmental compartment

Combined or cumulative exposure/effects

General level referring to effects or exposures of multiple substances via the same or multiple pathways/life cycle steps entering the same environmental compartment. In REACH, “combined risks” in the CSR currently refers to single substances in the sense of aggregated exposures, which is not meant here

Intentional mixture

General level, referring to intentionally formulated mixture marketed as such (“mixture” under REACH)

Unintentional mixture

General level, referring to all unintentional released mixtures and comprises co-incidental, discharge and/or environmental mixtures

Discharge mixture

Mixture of substances from a production plant or sewage treatment plant, unintentional jointly released to surface waters. This term is not mentioned under REACH (e.g. [10])

Coincidental and/or environmental mixture

Complex mixtures, entering environmental compartments from different sources and pathways unintentionally. It must be clear whether substances regulated under one or various legislations are considered. These terms are not mentioned under REACH (e.g. [10])