The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) has commissioned Oeko-Institut e.V and COWI AS to perform a preliminary review of a possible restriction of a group of substances (Small brominated alkyl alcohols, SBAA) under the RoHS Directive. A six week stakeholder consultation has been launched today to collect further input. The consultation period opens from 23 Sept. 2016 to 4 Nov. 2016.

The group of substances is defined as small brominated linear and branched alkyl alcohols with 3- 5 carbons, 1-2 alcohol groups, and 2-4 bromine atoms. According to the DEPA report (2016), the category comprises 62 members.

As for the substance 2,3-dibromopropan-1-ol (CAS 96-13-9), which is harmonized classified as being toxic to reproduction, entry 28 of REACH Annex XVII “Restrictionson the Manufacture, Placing on the Market and Use of Certain Dangerous Substances, Mixtures and Articles” applies. The U.S. EPA regulates 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol, (CAS 3296-90-0) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

In the use of electrical and electronic equipment, SBAA is generally used in resins in light of the molecular structure and in some cases lower melting and boiling points. In parallel it is possible that certain substances in the SBAA group are used in the production of plastics.