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ECHA opens public consultation on alternatives to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)

ECHA opens public consultation on alternatives to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)

ECHA/NA/14/22

Contributions on feasible alternatives to the uses applied for authorisation are welcome as soon as possible. This consultation closes on 9 July 2014 (23:59 Helsinki time).

Helsinki, 14 May 2014 – ECHA received a joint application for authorisation from 13 co-applicants for the following uses of HBCDD.

Substance name

Uses applied for

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)

  • Formulation of flame retarded expanded polystyrene (EPS) to solid unexpanded pellets using hexabromocyclododecane as the flame retardant additive (for onward use in building applications)
  • Manufacture of flame retarded expanded polystyrene (EPS) articles for use in building applications

 

Further information on the uses applied for is available on ECHA's website. This includes the description of the function of the substance, exposures scenarios, possible alternatives identified by the applicants, together with socio-economic and other background information.

Comments can be submitted using a form on ECHA's website. The comments received as well as the applicants' responses to the comments will be published – unless the information needs to be treated as confidential.

The ECHA Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) review and consider the comments in their opinion-making process. Based on the Committees' final opinions, the European Commission will take a decision on whether or not to grant the applicants an authorisation for the uses applied for.