Canada lists DBDPE and DP for action

Canada has listed for priority action the two halogenated flame retardants DBDPE and DP (decabromodiphenyl ethane, Dechlorane Plus*). Both are added to the Canada national List of Toxic Substances (Part2, Schedule 1). Both of these halogenated FRs are used as replacements for the now-banned brominated flame retardant Deca-BDE. The Canada listing publication notes that in Europe ECHA has indicated that, although evaluation is not yet complete, DBDPE appears to be persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT). DP is identified as very persistent and very bio-accumulative in Europe with proposed restriction and is listed in the Stockholm POPs convention. In Australia both chemicals have been (1, 2) identified to potentially pose unreasonable risk to the environment. Canada’s assessment is that DBDPE is toxic, may degrade in the environment to persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic chemical, and that DP is toxic, persistent and bio-accumulative (as defined under Canadian regulations). This formal listing of these two substances does not as such impose regulatory restrictions.

* DBDPE = Benzene, 1,1′-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis[2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo-. DP = 1,4:7,10-Dimethanodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene, 1,2,3,4,7,8,9, 10,13,13,14,14- dodecachloro-1,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,10,10a,11,12,12 adodecahydro.

“Order Adding Toxic Substances to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999: SOR/2025-27”, Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 5, 14 February 2025 https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-02-26/html/sor-dors27-eng.html