The Swedish Chemicals Agency is considering a proposal to restrict medium-chained chlorinated paraffins

The Swedish Chemicals Agency is considering a proposal to restrict medium-chained chlorinated paraffins in electronics. The authority is now holding a stakeholder consultation where it is possible to comment on the study. Medium-chained chlorinated paraffins are classified as environmentally hazardous and can affect people's ability to have children.

Medium-chained chlorinated paraffins (MCCP) are used as plasticisers and flame retardants in, among other things, electronics, mainly in cables made of PVC. We are investigating whether it is appropriate to propose a restriction of MCCP in the EU under the RoHS Directive. The RoHS Directive aims at reducing the risks to human health and the environment by replacing and restricting hazardous chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

As part of the study to investigate the need for and the possibility of a restriction, a consultant has been commissioned to write a report. The report includes:

  • scientific data on MCCP
  • legislative issues
  • information on the use of MCCP and harmful effects on human health and the environment
  • exposure in the waste management process
  • alternatives to MCCP
  • socio-economic assessment.

We now asks for information and feedback on the report in a stakeholder consultation. Interested parties are welcome to submit comments during the consultation period that runs until September 15, 2017. The next step for the Swedish Chemicals Agency will be to determine if it is relevant to propose a restriction of MCCP under the RoHS Directive or not.

Reed the report on MCCP (PDF 1200 kB) , 1.2 MB..

For more information, please contact:

Johanna Löfbom, Senior Technical Officer, +46 8 519 41 371

The Swedish Chemicals Agency’s press service, +46 8 519 41 200, press@kemi.se

E-mail addresses of the Swedish Chemicals Agency’s employees are written as follows: firstname.surname@kemi.se