News Brief
Following the official expansion of the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list to 250 items on June 25, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced a new SVHC proposal submitted by Sweden on June 27. The proposal targets decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), an important new brominated flame retardant. The substance has been recommended for inclusion on the SVHC list due to its high persistence and high bioaccumulation (vPvB) hazard characteristics. The public comment period for this proposal is currently open and will end on August 11, 2025.Material specific information is as follows:
| Name of substance | EC No. | CAS No. | Reason for proposal | Common Uses |
| Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) 1,1 '-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] | 284-366-9 | 84852-53-9 | vPvB (high persistence and high bioaccumulation), according to Article 57e of the REACH Regulation | It is widely used in the configuration of flame retardants, as well as polyesters, adhesives, sealants, coatings and inks. It is also used in the production of thermoplastics and resins, foams and composites. |
Important Reminders for Enterprises
DBDPE is a highly efficient, additive brominated flame retardant, widely used in plastics, rubber, resins, coatings, and textiles, often as an alternative to DecaBDE. This SVHC proposal poses a new compliance challenge for global supply chains. Rather than waiting passively, it is better to respond proactively. A consulting firm suggests that relevant enterprises should:
Fully assess risks, work closely with supply chain partners, and actively submit comments during the public consultation period.
Evaluate the product's market prospects and prepare for capacity optimization or for research and development of alternatives.
Closely track the SVHC list and prepare to fulfill all compliance obligations immediately if the substance is officially listed.
REACH Compliance Obligations
According to REACH regulations, if an article contains an SVHC in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w), the supplier must provide the recipient with sufficient information to allow for the safe use of the article, including, as a minimum, the name of the substance. Under the same conditions, suppliers must also provide this information to consumers, free of charge, within 45 days of receiving a request. For chemical substances and mixtures, suppliers must provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) that complies with REACH regulations if the mixture contains an SVHC above 0.1% (w/w). Furthermore, EU manufacturers and importers of articles containing an SVHC in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w) must submit an SVHC notification to ECHA if the total amount of that substance in the articles exceeds 1 tonne per year. For a newly listed SVHC, this notification must be completed within 6 months of its inclusion on the list.
Waste Framework Directive (WFD) Obligations
In addition, as of January 5, 2021, suppliers of articles containing an SVHC in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w) must submit a notification to the SCIP database before placing the articles on the EU market.
