Data Collection for Priority Existing Chemicals

Consumer Electronics Suppliers’ Association (CESA)

Presentation by

Dr Janith WickramaratnaReview & Treaties

NICNAS August 2005

Priority Existing Chemicals

• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)• Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)• Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE)

– Pentabromodiphenyl ether (penta-BDE)– Octabromodiphenyl ether (octa-BDE)

• Declared as PECs on 7 June 2005

Why Declare These As PECs?

• Preliminary PEC assessment on PBFRs in 2001 - Recommendation.

• Three commonly used PBFRs in Australia.• Health concerns based on animal studies.

– reproductive & neurodevelopmental effects

• Environmental concerns– Bioaccumulation, persistent and toxic to aquatic

organisms

Why Declare These As PECs?

• Multiple uses – different sources of exposure• Breakdown into more toxic chemicals

– Penta-BDE & Octa-BDE?

• Subject to regulatory activities overseas.

• Wire insulation• Plastic boxes housing electronics & electrical

equipment • Textiles – curtains, awnings and other fabric• In high impact polystyrene

Uses of Decabromodiphenyl Ether

• Polystyrene foam • Polystyrene beads – insulation • Canvas products• High impact polystyrene that is then imported

in electrical and electronic equipment• PVC, Adhesives and cables (EURAR)

Uses of Hexabromocyclododecane

• Polymer resins • Finished electronic equipment • Plastic boxes housing electronics• Components in switchboards• Circuit boards• Textiles

Uses of Tetrabromobisphenol A

What is an Article?

An object that:

• is manufactured for use for a particular purpose, being a purpose that requires that the object have a particular shape, surface or design; and

• is formed to that shape, surface or design during manufacture; and

• undergoes no change of chemical composition when used for that purpose except as an intrinsic aspect of that use;

• but does not include a particle or a fluid.

Why Assess the Chemical in the Article?

• Large quantities of chemicals imported in articles

• Environmental concern• Chemicals leach from articles over time• Deca-BDE found in indoor air, house dust,

food, breast milk and blood

Requirements to Provide Information

• You must provide information stated as “required” in the declaration notices

• Penalties apply for non-compliance

• Closing date for provision of information is 30 September 2005

Submission of Information - Articles

• Those who have manufactured or imported articles containing PECs in the two years prior to 7 June 2005 are required to provide the following:

• Total quantity of the chemical contained in manufactured or imported articles in the period July 2003 to June 2005 (for each financial year).

• Total quantity of the chemical contained in articles proposed to be manufactured or imported while the chemical is a PEC (July 2005 to June 2006).

Submission of Information - Articles

• Conc. of the declared chemical in each type of article.

– Model (could be a representative model)

– Different parts of the article (eg. circuit board, plastic box)

– Weight of part & amount of chemical in part

– ESTIMATE

Article Type

ModelNo.

Sales Quantity

Part Name

Flame Retardant

Weight of Part (eg. Casing)

(kg)

Flame RetardantAmount(g/ Part)

Remarks

  Robot

  R2D2

  100

Casing Decabromodiphenyl ether

10 40  

Circuit board

TBBPA (reactive)*

0.5 10  

Power unit

TBBPA (additive)*

2 50  

Suggested Layout for Presentation of Info

How Will the Assessment Affect You?

• You must provide the required information in the declaration notices

• Assessments could lead to further regulatory activity