EU REACH – EU Implements Regulation 2017-227 Restricting Decabrompdiphenyl ether (decaBDE) in Products

Vol. 950 | 14 Feb 2017

The European Commission has published Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/227 amending Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

The Regulation introduces a restriction on the use of the substance decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) under entry no. 67 of Annex XVII of REACH.

This Regulation shall be effective from 2 March 2017, and the requirement of the restrictions for decaBDE shall be fulfilled by 2 March 2019.

The requirement is that the substance after 2 March 2019:

1. Shall not be manufactured or placed on the market as a substance on its own.
2. Shall not be used in the production of, or placed on the market in:
   1. another substance, as a constituent;
   2. a mixture;
   3. an article, or any part thereof, in a concentration equal to or greater than 0,1 % by weight.

DecaBDE has uses as a flame retardant for textile products. It is also known to be used as a flame retardant added to plastic articles, and also adhesives, sealants, coatings and inks. The reason for the restriction is because decaBDE is a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substance.

A link to the regulation is below

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2017.035.01.0006.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2017:035:TOC

 

For additional information please contact:

Mike Redshaw
mike.redshaw@intertek.com
+44 (0)1942 265700