Consumer Products and Retail E-ssentials

February, 2016

On 14 November 2015, the European Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) Regulation (EU) 2015/2030^[1] which amends the conditions of the prohibition on short-chain chlorinated paraffins, SCCPs, under Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

SCCPs are a mixture of linear hydrocarbons that contain 10 to 13 carbon atoms and an average of 40-70 % chlorination. Their common uses include as PVC plasticisers; in paints, adhesives and sealant; as a flame retardant, softener or process oil in rubber; in waterproofing fabrics in furniture and other interior decorations.

Similar chemicals but with longer carbon chains are called medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, MCCPs, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins, LCCPs.

SCCPs were first included in the POPs Regulation by Regulation (EU) No 519/2012, which banned the placing on the market and use of articles containing SCCPs from 11 January 2013. As a result of this ban, many products have been reported on RAPEX (EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products) for containing SCCPs.

In this new amendment, SCCPs are allowed to be present in articles if the concentration is less than 0.15% by weight. This entered into force on 4 December 2015.

[1] Regulation (EU) No 2015/2030

SCCPs are a mixture of linear hydrocarbons that contain 10 to 13 carbon atoms and an average of 40-70 % chlorination. Their common uses include as PVC plasticisers; in paints, adhesives and sealant; as a flame retardant, softener or process oil in rubber; in waterproofing fabrics in furniture and other interior decorations.

Similar chemicals but with longer carbon chains are called medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, MCCPs, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins, LCCPs.

SCCPs were first included in the POPs Regulation by Regulation (EU) No 519/2012, which banned the placing on the market and use of articles containing SCCPs from 11 January 2013. As a result of this ban, many products have been reported on RAPEX (EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products) for containing SCCPs.

In this new amendment, SCCPs are allowed to be present in articles if the concentration is less than 0.15% by weight. This entered into force on 4 December 2015.

[1] Regulation (EU) No 2015/2030