Identification and assessment of alternatives to selected phthalates

Preface
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.
7