On November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially identified 1,1’-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene], commonly known as decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) under the EU REACH Regulation.
This designation means that DBDPE has been scientifically assessed and found to be very persistent (vP) and very bioaccumulative (vB) properties that make it very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). In other words, DBDPE breaks down very slowly in the environment and tends to accumulate in living organisms, potentially posing long-term risks to ecosystems and human health.
The decision was based on unanimous agreement by the EU Member State Committee (MSC) during its October 2025 meeting, confirming that DBDPE meets the criteria set out in Article 57(e) of REACH, which covers substances identified as vPvB.
DBDPE is widely used as a brominated flame retardant in plastics, textiles, electronics, and construction materials to reduce fire risks. However, its environmental persistence has raised regulatory concern. With its inclusion on the SVHC Candidate List, companies may now face new communication and reporting obligations if their products contain this substance above specified thresholds.
Additionally, this classification could pave the way for future restrictions or authorization requirements under REACH, particularly as the EU continues to tighten control over brominated flame retardants due to their potential environmental and health impacts.
Newly Added SVHC Substance Information
SVHC List Summary (As of Now)
· SVHC Candidate List: 35 batches, totaling 251 entries.
· Pending Substance: 1 (resorcinol).
· Under Consultation: 3 substances.
· Proposed Substances (not yet open for public comment): None.
| Substance name | EC number | CAS number | Reason for inclusion |
|
1,1'-(ethane-1,2- diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE) |
EC No. 284-366-9 | CAS No. 84852-53-9 | Very persistent and very bioaccumulative, vPvB (Article 57e) Flame retardant |
For products exported to Europe containing SVHCs above 0.1%, companies must fulfill information transmission and SCIP notification obligations. If the export volume of SVHCs exceeds 1 ton/year, SVHC notification is also required.
Corporate Compliance and Reporting Requirements
Companies should note that products containing SVHC substances entail corresponding responsibilities and obligations:
1. When the SVHC content in an article exceeds 0.1%, its supplier must provide the recipient of the article with information on safe use;
2. Upon consumer request, sufficient and accessible information, including the substance name and its content, shall be provided free of charge within 45 days;
3. If the annual export volume exceeds 1 ton, importers and producers of the article must also submit a notification to ECHA within 6 months from today;
4. Starting from January 5, 2021, articles containing more than 0.1% of substances listed on the SVHC Candidate List must also submit relevant information to ECHA's SCIP database;
5. Substances on the SVHC Candidate List may be added to the Authorization List in the future, at which point companies must apply for authorization to continue their use.
