Request a Demo
On June 27, 2025, Sweden submitted a proposal for identification of 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (Also known as DPDBE, CAS No 84852-53-9) as substances of very high concern (SVHC). The proposal report is available on ECHA's website. The deadline for commenting is August 11, 2025.
The reason for including DPDBE as SVHC is its very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties according to Article 57 (e) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (EU REACH).
DPDBE is considered as an alternative to decaBDE which has been on the Candidate List since 2012 due to its PBT/vPvB properties. DPDBE is widely used as a flame retardant in plastics, rubber, resin, coatings and textiles.
The prospect of SVHC inclusion may pose a challenge for global supply chains.
Consequences of inclusion on the SVHC List
Once a substance is identified as an SVHC, it is placed on the Candidate List for Authorization. According to EU REACH Regulations, suppliers of an article containing SVHC in a concentration of more than 0.1% must provide following information to downstream:
Provide SDS to downstream if the concentration of SVHC on its own or in preparations exceeds 0.1%
Provide safety use instruction to downstream recipient if the concentration of SVHC in products exceeds 0.1%. This equivalent information should be supplied to consumers within 45 days when requested
EU manufacturers, importers or only representative (OR) of SVHC shall notify ECHA if:
The substance is present in those articles in quantities totalling over one tonne per producer or importer per year;
The substance is present in those articles above a concentration of 0.1 % weight by weight (w/w).
So far the SVHC list containes 250 entries, some of which are groups of chemicals so the overall number of impacted chemicals is higher.
