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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced the 34th update of the REACH Candidate List, officially adding one new Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) on November 5, 2025. With this inclusion, the Candidate List now contains 251 entries though some are group entries covering multiple chemicals, meaning the actual number of affected substances is higher.
The new addition, 1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[pentabromobenzene] (DBDPE), was identified as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) under Article 57(e) of REACH. This addition marks another significant step in ECHA’s ongoing work to manage and potentially restrict brominated flame retardants due to their long-term environmental and health impacts.
What Was Added – November 2025 SVHC Update
Date of inclusion: November 5, 2025 Committee decision: Confirmed by ECHA’s Member State Committee in October 2025
REACH SVHC Timeline Snapshot (Jan–Nov 2025)
Why It Matters
DBDPE is used widely across electrical and electronic equipment, building materials, and textiles as a flame retardant. However, its persistence in the environment and tendency to accumulate in living organisms raise serious concerns.
Its inclusion on the Candidate List is expected to pave the way for:
- Future restrictions under REACH
- Possible Authorisation List (Annex XIV) inclusion
- Broader regulatory attention to brominated flame retardant groups
What This Means for You
If any of your products, mixtures, or articles contain DBDPE above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w), you now have specific legal duties under REACH and the Waste Framework Directive:
- Article 33: Inform downstream users and consumers about safe use of the article.
- Article 7(2): Notify ECHA within 6 months of inclusion — by May 5, 2026.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Update with the latest SVHC information.
- SCIP database: Submit notification if articles contain DBDPE above 0.1% (w/w).
Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action, market withdrawal, or loss of EU market access.
What Happens Next
ECHA and the European Commission will now evaluate DBDPE for possible inclusion on the Authorisation List (Annex XIV) or future restriction proposals.
Companies should start preparing now by:
- Assessing whether DBDPE is present in any formulations or components;
- Evaluating alternatives and safer substitutes;
- Updating internal databases, supplier declarations, and SCIP records;
- Tracking all regulatory proposals related to brominated flame retardants.
This move signals the EU’s continued tightening around persistent organic pollutants and legacy flame retardants.
How to Stay Compliant
Here’s what your compliance team should prioritize right now:
Screen your BOMs and supplier declarations for DBDPE presence. Request updated documentation (FMDs, SDS, IPC-1752A, or IEC 62474). Notify ECHA if applicable within the six-month window. Update SCIP submissions to reflect this SVHC addition. Communicate SVHC information transparently down your supply chain.
Related REACH Resources
- Understanding REACH Lists: Candidate vs Annex XIV vs XVII
- SCIP Database Notification: Requirements & Process
- IPC-1752A Material Declaration Standard
- EU Waste Framework Directive & SCIP Database
How Acquis Helps with REACH Compliance
Acquis Compliance provides automated solutions to help you stay ahead of REACH and SVHC obligations:
- Automated Compliance Tracking – Real-time SVHC monitoring and update alerts.
- SCIP Reporting Automation – Streamline notifications with pre-validated data.
- Supplier Declaration Management – Request, verify, and centralize supplier documents.
- Bill of Materials (BOM) Analysis – Detect affected parts and components instantly.
- Regulatory Intelligence & Alerts – Get notified when your substances are added or restricted.
The Final Word
With DBDPE’s addition, the Candidate List reaches 251 substances, and the regulatory direction is clear — more brominated flame retardants are under scrutiny.
If your products still contain DBDPE or similar legacy flame retardants, now is the time to act, substitute, and document before enforcement tightens.
Book a Demo with Acquis Compliance Stay compliant and confident with automated REACH and SVHC tracking. Book a demo or contact our team to learn how Acquis can streamline your REACH management.