CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

Technical Guidance on Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)

January 2018- Relevant for: electrical & electronics, Hardlines, softlines, Toys & children's products

What are they?
SCCPs stand for short-chained chlorinated paraffins which is a mixture of different chlorinated chemicals with chain lengths between 10 and 13 carbons. They are produced by chlorination of n-alkanes. These chemicals have various applications. Its major use is in the industrial sectors as lubricants and coolants in metalworking fluids. Despite its industrial uses, SCCPs can be found in consumer products such as toys, cables, electrical appliances as residues because it can be used as secondary plasticisers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and flame retardants in plastics, textiles, fat liquoring agent in leather. 

The other family members of chlorinated paraffins may be used as alternatives of SCCPs e.g. medium-chained chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) where carbon chain length is C14-17 and long-chained chlorinated paraffins (LCCPs) where carbon chain length is C18 or above. However, the toxicity of these chlorinated paraffins is yet to be investigated.

Potential hazards:
SCCPs are identified as persistent organic pollutants. It is bioaccumulative in human and wildlife and toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentration. These chemicals pose hazards to human health and the environment because they are carcinogenic and persistent.

Commonly found in:
Leather, PVC, rubber (as plasticisers), back-coatings in upholstery and household textiles (as flame retardants).

Related legislation (non-exhaustive)

• European Union
  • POPs Regulation, Annex 1REACH SVHC Candidate List
• Switzerland
  • Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance
    
    

Maximum limits:

• European Union
  • POPs Regulation, Annex 1
    • Substances and mixtures: 1% by weight
    • Articles: 0.15% by weight of each component
• REACH SVHC Candidate List
  • 0.1% by weight
• Switzerland
  • Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance
    • Substances, mixtures and articles: 1% by weight
      
      

How can TÜV SÜD help?
TÜV SÜD has a dedicated technical solutions team to support you with root cause analysis, problem identification, suggestions for improvement and failure minimisation.

• Training and seminar on understanding the RSL (Restricted Substance List) and MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List)
• Testing services on raw materials and final products 
• Being part of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme, we review the entire value chain of footwear and textiles