The European Commission has published a legislative proposal (Initiative) on its official website, proposing to add tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the EU RoHS list of restricted substances. At present, the draft bill has not been released, and the relevant public consultation has not yet been opened. The European Commission is expected to make a final decision in the fourth quarter of 2022.
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In fact, as early as March 2021, Oeko-Institut e.V. has released the final evaluation report of Pack 15, which includes 7 tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). Substances were evaluated, and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were finally recommended to be included in the list of restricted substances in Annex II of RoHS due to the fact that these two substances are harmful to workers, consumers and The environment is at risk of significant exposure to hazards.
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The EU RoHS evaluation agency has issued the final evaluation report of the RoHS consulting project Pack 15, suggesting that medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) should be added to the control:
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The proposed control limit for MCCPs is 0.1 wt%, and an explanation should be added when limiting, that is, MCCPs contain linear or branched chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths of C14-C17
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TBBP-A recommended control limit is 0.1wt%
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Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins MCCPs
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(Contains linear or branched chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths C14-C17)
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Toxicity: including reproductive toxicity, aquatic toxicity. Stakeholders believe that MCCPs meet the characteristics of PBT (persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity) and vPvB (high persistence and high bioaccumulation) in REACH regulations, and were added to the SVHC candidate substance list in July 2021;
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Function: Similar to SCCP, it is a plasticizer with flame retardant function. Commonly found in PVC, soft plastics, rubber materials, coatings, adhesives, sealants, especially wire and cable. There are alternatives on the market for MCCPs used as plasticizers and flame retardants;
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Environmental hazards: The waste disposal of electrical and electronic products and the recycling of PVC materials will cause unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. MCCPs in soil and water sediments may cause secondary poisoning of organisms after entering the food chain.
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Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A)
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Toxicity: The EU is evaluating the endocrine disrupting properties and PBT properties of TBBP-A;
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Function: used as reactive flame retardant in electrical and electronic products;
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Environmental hazard: is a common pollutant that is frequently detected in the environment. Disposal and recycling of electrical and electronic products may pose unacceptable risks to workers, and may also produce hazardous residues or transformation degradation products that can lead to uncontrolled release into the environment.
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For MCCPs and TBBP-A substances, once they are added to the control, a transition period should be set by convention. Luxshare Testing recommends that companies conduct investigation and control as soon as possible, meet the latest requirements of regulations in a timely manner, and avoid shipping risks!