The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added a new hazardous substance to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total to 251 entries. The substance, 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBBPE), is widely used as a flame retardant and was identified due to its very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties.
The inclusion follows the October meeting of ECHA’s Member State Committee and has immediate regulatory consequences for companies handling the substance in the EU. DBBPE is now subject to strict information, notification and potential authorisation requirements under the REACH Regulation.
SVHC status triggers new compliance obligations
DBBPE’s inclusion means companies must assess whether the substance is present in their articles, mixtures or standalone form. If so, they face a range of legal duties:
- Suppliers must inform recipients and consumers if the substance is present at concentrations above 0.1% weight by weight.
- Importers and producers of articles have six months from the listing date (5 November 2025) to notify ECHA if their products contain DBBPE above this threshold.
- Waste handlers and recyclers must update safety data sheets and notify under the Waste Framework Directive’s SCIP database.
ECHA also confirmed that DBBPE’s identification as a vPvB substance supports future consideration for inclusion on the Authorisation List, which would further restrict its use unless expressly authorised by the European Commission.
DBBPE: usage, risks and regulatory rationale
DBBPE is a brominated flame retardant, commonly used in plastics and electronics to slow the spread of fire. However, its environmental persistence and tendency to bioaccumulate in living organisms raise significant long-term health and ecological concerns.
According to Article 57(e) of REACH, substances that are very persistent and very bioaccumulative can be identified as SVHCs even without proven toxicity if their properties pose a risk due to accumulation over time.
This classification aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to reduce harmful chemicals and support the transition to safer alternatives in consumer goods, electronics, automotive components and construction materials.
Impact across the manufacturing value chain
The update affects multiple stakeholders, including chemical manufacturers, downstream users, product designers, recyclers and importers. Any business placing products on the EU market must now assess supply chains and product compositions for DBBPE content.
Companies may need to reformulate products, source alternative materials or prepare for future authorisation applications. Non-compliance risks include fines, product recalls and reputational damage.
