ECHA updates the Candidate List

The list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) now includes 251 substances

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a new update to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH). 
With this revision, the list now includes 251 substances, following the addition of 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE), a brominated flame retardant identified as vPvB (very persistent and very bioaccumulative) under Article 57(e). 

Substanceidentity and mainuses

DBDPE was introduced in the 1990s as a replacement for Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE), now restricted under REACH. It is used as an additive in a wide range of applications, especially in polymeric materials and electronic components.

Obligations for companies

The inclusion of DBDPE in the Candidate List triggers immediate obligations for manufacturers, importers, and downstream users of articles or mixtures containing the substance:

• Communication duties (Article 33 REACH): if an article contains DBDPE in a concentration ≥ 0.1 % w/w, the supplier must inform professional and industrial customers.

• Notification to ECHA (Article 7.2): if the total amount exceeds 1 t/year, a notification must be submitted within six months from the inclusion.

• SDS update: suppliers of mixtures must update their Safety Data Sheets to include the SVHC status.

• SCIP database reporting: producers and importers of articles must update their entries in the SCIP database to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain.

Sectorsmostaffected

The substance is widely used in:

• plastic and polymeric materials (technical components, coatings, containers);

• electrical and electronic equipment (cables, housings, circuit boards);

• technical textiles and furniture (flame-retardant or coated fabrics);

• industrial and consumer products requiring flame-retardant performance.

Implications and outlook

The inclusion of DBDPE in the Candidate List marks another step forward in the EU’s effort to monitor and phase out brominated flame retardants. 
Companies are encouraged to review their supply chains, verify the possible presence of DBDPE in raw materials or components, update their compliance documentation, and evaluate safer alternatives consistent with the EU’s chemicals sustainability strategy.