In July 2025, the European Chemicals Agency launched a special public consultation targeting sectors including electrical and electronic products, hardware, textiles, toys, and children's products to determine the inclusion of 1,1'-(Ethane-1,2-diyl)bis [pentabromobenzene] (Chinese chemical name: decabromodiphenylethane-DBDPE) as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). This consultation concluded on August 11, 2025.
The EU explained its inclusion as an SVHC: Decabromodiphenyl ethane is classified as a “very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB)” substance. It has been widely used as a flame retardant in materials such as plastics, PP/ABS/HIPS, electronic cables, and electrical and electronic equipment.
EU: REACH-Public consultation launched onDBDPE as SVHC
UL electronic wires are extensively used in electrical and electronic products (electronic equipment wires, household wires, automotive electronic wires), toys, and other applications. Prior to this, irradiated cross-linked flame-retardant polyolefin materials for electronic wire production predominantly utilized DBDPE-containing flame retardants.
In November 2025, the European Union will incorporate decabromodiphenyl ethane into its REACH environmental restrictions. Market access, shipments, and compliance for wires, cables, and related products containing this flame retardant will be subject to scrutiny and limitations. Subsequent stricter restrictions or phase-out requirements may follow, significantly impacting wire and cable manufacturers and related enterprises exporting to the EU.
Official Announcement of the European Chemicals Agency（ECHA）
According to the latest requirements and inventory updates from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and REACH, if electrical wires and cables or other products (within this scope: electrical and electronic equipment, hardware, textiles, toys, and children's products) contain decabromodiphenyl ethane at a concentration ≥0.1% (by weight), importers and manufacturers must notify the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by May 2026. Furthermore, under the interpretation of the EU Ecolabel Regulation, products containing decabromodiphenyl ethane will subsequently be ineligible to apply for and obtain corresponding environmental certification reports.
The EU's regulatory actions against brominated flame retardants like decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPE) intensified in the latter half of 2025. DBDPE was formally added to the restricted substances list in November 2025, imposing new restrictions on [wires, cables, and other products] containing this flame retardant.
To assist customers in smoothly meeting regulatory and market requirements, Angreen New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. began developing and launched the following DBDPE-free materials six months ago:
UL-listed 125°C VW-1 irradiated cross-linked flame-retardant polyolefin material for electronic wires, free of decabromodiphenyl ethane
UL-listed 150°C VW-1 irradiated cross-linked flame-retardant polyolefin material for electronic wires, free of decabromodiphenyl ethane
UL-certified electronic wire-grade 125°C VW-1 halogen-free flame-retardant irradiation cross-linked polyolefin material (launched two years ago and already in market application)
Market response has been positive, featuring high flame retardancy and excellent aging performance.
