Preface

Identification and assessment of alternatives to selected phthalates

Since spring 2007, three phthalates, DEHP, DBP and BBP, have been prohibited for use in toys and childcare articles. Further three phthalates, DINP, DIDP and DNOP, are prohibited in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth by children.

On the basis of their classification as toxic to reproduction, DEHP, DBP and BBP have been identified as presenting properties of very high concern, and have been placed on the candidate list for consideration for inclusion in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation.

Substances included in Annex XIV are subject to authorisation. Authorisation should according to the REACH Regulation be granted where it is demonstrated that the risks to human health and the environment arising from the use of the substance are adequately controlled. Otherwise, uses may still be authorised if it can be shown that the socio-economic benefits from the use of the substance outweigh the risks connected with its use and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies that are economically and technically viable.

As consequence of the prohibition of the three classified phthalates in toys and childcare articles, alternative substances and alternative materials have been introduced for such products.

In order to establish an overview of the risks to human health and the environment arising from the use of the alternative substances and to evaluate to what extent alternative substances or technologies are economically and technically viable as substitutes for DEHP, DBP and BBP in the different applications, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has initiated this study.

The results of the study are intended to feed in to the discussion regarding the inclusion of the three phthalates in Annex XIV and the conditions for the authorisation if the substances are included in the Annex.

The objectives of the study are:

To survey possible alternatives to DEHP, BBP and DBP with particular emphasis on alternatives to restricted phthalates used in toys and childcare articles,
To assess health and environmental properties of the alternatives;
To assess the technical and economic feasibility of the use of the alternatives for the main applications of DEHP, BBP and DBP;
To disseminate information on alternatives and the feasibility of substitution to relevant stakeholders in Denmark.

The study has been guided by a Steering Group consisting of Shima Dobel and Lotte Kau Andersen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, and Carsten Lassen and Sonja Hagen Mikkelsen, COWI A/S.

This report has been prepared by Carsten Lassen (Project Manager), Ulla Kristine Brandt, Jakob Maag, Jesper Kjølholt, Lise Molander and Sonja Hagen Mikkelsen, COWI A/S, Denmark.