THE REQUIREMENT OF SCCPS IN POPS HAS BEEN AMENDED

The European Commission published Regulation (EU)2015/2030 to amend the entry for SCCPs in Annex I of 850/2004/EC on the 14th of November 2015. This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. After this time articles containing SCCPs in concentrations lower than 0.15% by weight are allowed to be placed on the market and used. MCCPs and LCCPs are identified as alternatives which could be used instead of SCCPs, and MCCPs appearing to be the alternative of choice for the vast majority of users. SCCPs may be present as an impurity in an article produced with MCCPs.

Requirements of the Regulations

The entry for SCCPs in POPs:

Before  revision Substances and mixtures shall not contain SCCPs exceeding 1% by weight; SCCPs are prohibited in product from the 11th of January 2013. Exemption: fire retardants in rubber used in conveyor belts in the mining industry; fire retardants in dam sealants.
After  revision Substances and mixtures shall not contain SCCPs exceeding 1% by weight; Articles shall not contain SCCPs exceeding 0.15% by weight; Exemption: conveyor belts in the mining industry and dam sealants containing SCCPs already in use before or on December 4,2015.

Restriction requirement in REACH regulation:

Regulation Control List Requirements
REACH regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 SVHC candidate list Provide substance information if SCCPs are present in articles above 0.1% by weight; notify ECHA if SCCPs are present in articles in quantities totalling over one tonne per producer or exporter per year, and SCCPs is present in those articles above 0.1% by weight.

Introduction of SCCPs

Short chain chlorinated paraffins, short name SCCPs, CAS number: 85535-84-8. SCCPs can be used as a plasticizer in rubber, paints, adhesives, flame retardants for plastics including vinyl flooring, carpet backing and wire and cable coating. SCCPs also may be used in the leather industry, the textile industry and as an additive for sealing compounds.

SCCPs are classified as dangerous to the environment, due to their high toxicity to aquatic organisms. They are persistent agents, bio accumulative substances and enzymatic disrupters. Excessive exposure to SCCPs may affect the kidney, liver and thyroid gland, and may cause cancer.

Suggestion

Some EU customers have asked suppliers to provide SCCPs test results. Enterprises are advised to improve the production process and monitor the critical processes to meet the requirements of EU regulations. Companies are also advised to conduct a supply chain survey and choose qualified materials to avoid the risk of recalled product due to the SCCPs issue.