Proactively eliminating the phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP from electronic products
Abstract
DEHP, BBP, and DBP are low molecular weight phthalates used to make cables softer and more flexible. These phthalates have been included in the REACH Candidate List and have been discussed in context of the RoHS recast. In line with the its precautionary principle, Dell has decided to proactively eliminate these phthalates from all of its products. The phthalates have been replaced with Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOM or TOTM) or Dioctyl Terephthalate (DOCP). TOM and DOCP offer the same functionality, however these are neither classified nor labelled and are not CMR substances. Dell has also started to request that its suppliers disclose the use of additional phthalates (DIDP, DNOP, DIBP, DHNUP, DIHP) to enable swift phase out of these as well.
Substituted substance(s)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
CAS No. 117-81-7 EC No. 204-211-0 Index No. 607-317-00-9
Chemical group Carboxylic acid esters
Classification: R-phrases
R60 May impair fertility
R61 May cause harm to the unborn child
Classification: hazard statements
H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child
Other adverse effectsThe substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC), on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Dibutyl phthalate
CAS No. 84-74-2 EC No. 201-557-4 Index No. 607-318-00-4
Classification: R-phrases
R50 Very toxic to aquatic organisms
R61 May cause harm to the unborn child
R62 Risk of impaired fertility
Classification: hazard statements
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility
Other adverse effectsThe substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Benzyl butyl phthalate
CAS No. 85-68-7 EC No. 201-622-7 Index No. 607-430-00-3
Chemical group Phthalate
Classification: R-phrases
R61 May cause harm to the unborn child
R62 Risk of impaired fertility
R50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Classification: hazard statements
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility
Other adverse effectsThe substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Diisobutyl phthalate
CAS No. 84-69-5 EC No. 201-553-2 Index No. 607-623-00-2
Chemical group Phthalates
Classification: R-phrases
R61 May cause harm to the unborn child
R62 Risk of impaired fertility
Classification: hazard statements
H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility
Other adverse effectsThe substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor cat. 2 (EU EDC database), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative substance(s)
Trioctyl trimellitate
CAS No. 3319-31-1Chemical group Ester
Classification
The substance has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation)
» Search ECHA’s Classification and Labelling InventoryDioctyl terephthalate
CAS No. 6422-86-2 EC No. 229-176-9Chemical group Carboxylic acid esters
Classification
The substance has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation)
» Search ECHA’s Classification and Labelling Inventory
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Hazard assessment
The four phthalates subject to elimination in this case story all have official classifications as being CMR substances and are on the hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria. The alternatives do not have any official classification, and are not on the hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria.
» Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC)
Substitution description
When designing products, Dell’s commitment is to avoid substances that could seriously harm the environment or human health. That’s why Dell applies the strictest government standards across our product lines, using the European Union’s Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations as their global baseline.
DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP were included in the REACH Candidate List as substances of very high concern in October 2008. Three of these phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP) were also included in Annex III of the proposal of the RoHS recast by the EU Commission as priority substances to be assessed for potential restriction under RoHS.
DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP are low molecular weight phthalates used in plastics, predominantly in cables, to make them softer and more flexible. The term low molecular weight phthalates refers to the carbon backbone. In case of the low molecular weight phthalates like DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP, the carbon backbone consists of 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the alcohol chain. Low molecular weight phthalates such as DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP are classified as toxic for reproduction and have therefore been included in the REACH Candidate List and are subject to further risk reduction measures. The four phthalates are also subject to authorization under REACH and a sunset date of February 2015 has been set.
The phthalates have been substituted with Trioctyl trimellitate (TOM/TOTM) or Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), which offer the same functionality. Both TOM/TOTM and DOTP have a high molecular weight and bulky structure and thus a low migration potential. They are not classified or labelled and are not CMR substances and are also not subject to risk reduction. These substances can serve as direct substitutes for the low molecular weight phthalates when used in plastic cables to make them softer and more flexible. It is also fairly unproblematic to source plastic cables with these substitutes, as they are readily available in the quantities used by Dell in all of their applications. The substitution is also helped by the fact that the conversion is to a large extent cost neutral.
Although the name of DOTP may indicate that it is a phthalate, in fact, it is categorized as a “phthalate-free” substance.
Other phthalates have come under scrutiny as well, be it through their ban in toys and childcare articles (1999/815/EC) or through additions to the REACH Candidate List. Therefore we started in 2009 to request from suppliers the disclosure of the use (mass and concentration) of additional phthalates (e.g. DIDP, DNOP, DIBP, DHNUP, DIHP) to enable them to swiftly phase them out as well.
The restriction on the three phthalates DEHP, BBP, and DBP was effective by July 1, 2010 for all newly launched Dell parts and products and was effective by July 1, 2012 for all Dell sustaining products. The restriction on DIBP will be effective by January 1, 2014 for all newly launched Dell parts and products and will be effective by January 1, 2015 for all Dell sustaining products.
Case/substitution evaluation
This is a case story describing a proactive and stepwise strategy to substitute phthalates of concern with safer alternatives. According to existing classification the alternatives are safer than the eliminated phthalates and according to the user there have been no major technical problems or costs associated with the substitution.
Who provided the information
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
John Pflueger
Dell
www.dell.com
Publication or last update: 15.11.2012
