EU Limits Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs)

FANLING, China - Jan. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- Limit Falls Under EU POP Regulation

The European Union (EU) has recently set a limit for SCCPs under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation. The new law was enforced on December 4, 2015.

In July 2012 it was announced that the EU had expanded the number of chemicals falling under Regulation (EC) No. 850/2004 (POPs Regulation) [1]. The list of chemicals included, among others, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and SCCPs. The use of SCCPs has been prohibited in articles manufactured since July 11, 2012, however, their continued use as flame retardants in dam sealants and also in rubber conveyor belts in the mining industry has been allowed.

SCCPs on SVHC Candidate List since 2008

Chemical SCCPs are defined by their carbon chain length, of C10–13, and have a variable chlorination degree of 30 – 70%. As such, they do not represent a single substance, but may be understood as technical mixtures. Furthermore, chemical substances satisfying the molecular definition of SCCPs may be present as impurities in the technical mixture of medium chained chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). SCCPs are used in a wide range of applications, such as plasticizers in plastics, flame-retardants, extreme pressure additives in metalworking fluids and additives in paints. They have also been on the Candidate List [2] of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorization since October 2008.

Crucial Changes in Regulation

On November 14, 2015, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2015/2030 [3] in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) amending the scope and requirements for SCCPs under Part B of ANNEX I to the POPs Regulation (EC) 850/2004. The new law has a number of important changes, including:

- Less than 0.15% SCCPs in articles
- The use of SCCPs is allowed in conveyor belts in the mining industry and dam sealants, if these products were already in use before or on December 4, 2015

The new law will take effect on December 4, 2015, the twentieth day following its publication in the OJEU.

Highlights of the new law and a comparison with Regulation (EU) 519/2012, the existing law on SCCPs under POPs, are summarized in Table 1 (http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/News-and-Media-Center/N...) in the latest Safeguards bulletin.

References:

[1] Safeguards – EU Expands List of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) - July 2012 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/0...)

[2] Safeguards – New Reach Candidate List Leads to Immediate Challenge for Supply Chain - October 2008 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/Safeguards_%2008508_REACH_revised.pdf)

[3] Official Journal of the European Union – Amending Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of persistent organic pollutants as regards Annex I - 13 November 2005 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOL_2015_298_R_0001&from=EN)

In early 2015, SGS published a white paper on POPs (http://www.sgs.com/en/White-Paper-Library/Proliferation-Regulation-and-Mitigation-of-Persistent-Organic-Pollutants.aspx) introducing a comprehensive summary of global POP regulations. This white paper provides an overview of current thinking within the consumer goods industry on how best to manage the risk of POPs in consumer products and supply chains.

About SGS Services for the Consumer Goods and Retail industry

Throughout its global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a range of services, including analytical and chemical testing (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Hardgoods/DIY-Tools-and-Hardware/Testing/Chemical-Testing.aspx) and consultancy for SCCPs and other POP chemicals in products for the EU and international markets.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert.

Website: http://www.sgs.com/hardgoods
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