The European Chemicals Agency proposes restrictions on Dechlorane plus
On June 23, 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed to add Dechlorane plus to appendix XVII of reach regulation for restriction, and carried out public consultation. It is proposed to prohibit the production, use and placing on the market of dyclon, as well as the production and placing on the market of articles with dyclon concentration equal to or more than 0.1% (by weight).
Dechlorane plus is a synthetic substance, which is mainly used as a flame retardant for adhesives, sealants and polymers, and as an additive for oils and fats. Due to its very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vpvb), it was identified as a substance of high concern (SVHC) by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2018. It has similar structure to some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity, such as aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, mirex and chlordecone.
Proposed restrictions:
| Name of substance, group of substances or mixture | Restrictions |
Clone [including all trans and cis isomers and their combinations] CAS NO 13560-89-9 was obtained; 135821-74-8; 135821-03-3 EC No 236-948-9; -; | 1. This substance shall not be produced or put on the market from [18 months after the effective date of the regulation]. 2. This substance shall not be used in production or put on the market from [18 months after the effective date of the regulation]: (a) In another substance, as a component; (b) In the mixture; (c) In items, Concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1% by weight. |
Public consultation on this restriction will begin on June 23, 2021 and end on January 3, 2022. The final opinions of the risk assessment committee (RAC) and the social and economic assessment committee (SEAC) are planned to be published by the end of June 2022. ECHA will submit the joint views of the two committees to the European Commission, which will ultimately decide whether to add the proposed restriction items to the list of restricted substances in Appendix XVII of reach regulation.