EU adds DBDPE to the SVHC List
Helsinki, 5 November 2025 — The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE) (CAS No. 84852-53-9) to the REACH Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The update brings the total number of SVHCs to 251.
DBDPE, a brominated flame retardant commonly used as a replacement for decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), is now subject to new legal obligations under the EU REACH Regulation and related legislation.
Key obligations for companies
The inclusion of DBDPE on the Candidate List triggers several immediate obligations for companies under REACH and related EU legislation/ regulations:
Duty to disclose: Suppliers of articles containing DBDPE in concentrations above 0.1% w/w must inform recipients and consumers about safe use. Consumers may request this information and must receive a response within 45 days.
Notification to ECHA: Importers and producers of articles must notify ECHA if their products contain DBDPE above the 0.1% threshold and exceed one tonne per year, unless exposure can be excluded.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) updates: Suppliers of substances or mixtures containing DBDPE must update their SDSs to reflect its inclusion on the Candidate List.
SCIP notification: Under the EU Waste Framework Directive, companies producing or importing articles with DBDPE above the threshold must submit information to ECHA’s SCIP database for substances of concern in products.
EU Ecolabel prohibition: Products containing SVHCs are ineligible for the EU Ecolabel under the EU Ecolabel Regulation.
All required notifications must be submitted within six months of DBDPE’s inclusion on the Candidate List, which will be 5 April 2026.
Impacted products and sectors
The inclusion affects a wide range of sectors due to DBDPE’s widespread use as a flame retardant in:
Adhesives, sealants, coatings, and inks
Textiles and back-coatings
Construction materials (e.g., building and roofing)
Thermoplastics used in casings, enclosures, and wires/cables
Affected industries include electrical and electronic sectors as well as those who incorporate electrical and electronic components in their products such as aerospace, automotive, consumer/ industrial/ household appliances or products, medical devices, and toys. Clothing/ apparel and furnishings might also be affected.
Next steps for industry
Substances on the Candidate List may later become subject to authorization or restriction. Companies are advised to:
Communicate with suppliers and conduct testing to verify the presence of DBDPE in their articles;
Prepare for notification and disclosure obligations; and
Evaluate alternative flame retardant chemicals in anticipation of a potential future phase-out.
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