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Directive (EU) 2015/863 Amends EU RoHS to Restrict 4 New Phthalates: DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP

Little Pro on 2016-01-08

On 4 June 2015, the EU commission has published a new Directive (EU) 2015/863 to amend Annex II to EU RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU) to add the following 4 phthalates onto the list of restricted substances.

  • Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): max 0.1%;
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): max 0.1%;
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): max 0.1%;
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): max 0.1%.

10 hazardous substances will now be restricted in EEE under EU RoHS 2.

Status Substances and Limits
Current Restrictions
  • Cadmium(Cd): 0.01%
  • Mercury: 0.1%
  • Lead(Pb) : 0.1%
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) : 0.1%
  • Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): 0.1 %;
  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): 0.1 %
  • Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): 0.1% (added in 2015).

It shall be noted that above maximum concentration values apply to each homogeneous material rather than a product or a part itself. A homogeneous material means material of uniform composition throughout that cannot be mechanically separated into different materials.

Grace Periods: Restriction of Phthalates under RoHS

DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP are primarily used as plasticisers to soften plastics. They will be restricted from 22 July 2019 for all electrical and electronic equipment apart from Category 8 (medical devices) and Category 9 (monitoring and control equipment) that will have an additional two years to comply by 22 July 2021.

The restriction of DEHP, BBP and DBP shall not apply to toys which are already subject to the restriction of DEHP, BBP and DBP through entry 51 of Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The restriction limits of phthalates in toys under REACH are stricter (see below).

  • Applicable for all children’s toys and childcare articles for children under 3: DEHP+DBP+BBP≤0.1%;
  • Applicable for all children’s toys and child care articles that can be placed in children’s mouth: DINP + DIDP + DNOP≤ 0.1%

EU RoHS 2: Scope and Exemptions

Some electrical and electronic products are out the scope of EU RoHS 2. Military equipment, large-scale stationary industrial tools, large-scale fixed installations, active implantable medical devices, and photovoltaic panels are excluded from RoHS 2. Batteries and package materials are also out the scope of RoHS since they are subject to different directives.

In addition to that, annexes III and IV of RoHS 2 contain certain applications that are exempt from RoHS restrictions (For example, Cadmium in helium-cadmium lasers). Some RoHS 2 exemptions are time limited.

EU RoHS Phthalates

Reference & Resources

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