Decabromodiphenylethane – Regulatory action

Notice of cancellation of assessment certificate

The Executive Director of AICIS has cancelled assessment certificate (CERT9258) for Benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis[2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo- (also known as decabromodiphenylethane or DBDPE) under section 52 of the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act) on 28 June 2022. 

This action has been taken on the grounds that the Executive Director is not satisfied that the risks to the environment associated with the introduction or use of the industrial chemical can be managed.

Notification to Australia’s designated national authority for the Rotterdam Convention

Under section 159(2) of the IC Act, when AICIS bans or severely restricts the introduction or use of a chemical, we must also notify Australia’s designated national authority for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. 

This is currently the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). We have notified DCCEEW of the severe restriction of the chemical. 

Background

We published an assessment statement on 12 July 2022 which stated that the chemical has the characteristics of a persistent organic pollutant under the criteria of the Stockholm Convention. 

The end use of the chemical is as a flame retardant in articles, films and coatings used in electrical, electronic, building, and automotive applications.