Register of Specific Exemptions: Decabromodiphenyl ether

Parties may register for specific exemptions listed in Annex A or B pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 4. These specific exemptions have a limited timeframe and shall expire five (5) years after the date of entry into force of the Convention with respect to that particular chemical (paragraph 4 of Article 4), unless an earlier date is indicated in the Register by the Party or an extension is granted by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 7 of Article 4.

By decision SC-11/1 adopted at its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties noted that as of 18 December 2023, there will no longer be any Parties registered for specific exemptions for decabromodiphenyl ether for polyurethane foam for building insulation and for textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics. Therefore, no new registrations may be made with respect to these applications after that date.

Specific exemptions

Activity Specific exemption Party Expiry date Estimated quantity of
production / use 		Purpose(s) of
production / use 		Reason for exemption Remarks
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2. of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.
 Argentina • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 - • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		• Companies requested registration of exemption for the import of auto parts containing chemicals covered in this entry. Three companies applied for this exemption.
• No particular aircraft parts have been identified. However, it is likely that there are parts of old vehicles containing this chemical, therefore the specific exemption is requested until it can be confirmed that such parts do not exist.
 Quantities used are unknown.

Note by Secretariat:
Informal translation on registration – original received in Spanish.
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A. Brazil The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.		 Unknown • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A. Brazil is working on the development, validation and homologation of parts that do not use BDE-209. It will be necessary to import parts for use in vehicles until the replacement is possible. DecaBDE is imported under the NCM 2903.99.29 (other halogenated derivatives with only bromine) that represents all halogenated derivatives with bromine. The quantity imported under this NCM code was 150kg in 2018.
The automotive sector imports articles with DecaBDE, which makes it difficult to estimate the exact quantity used by the sector. Anyway, we are working with the industry to check with their associates in the IMDS (International Material Data System) the amount imported annually by them. At the same time, we are in contact with the Plastic Association to verify the amount of DecaBDE imported by this sector.
Production As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register. European Union • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft

 - • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A,
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft,

- -
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.
European Union • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier..
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft
 - • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A,
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft,
- -
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		New Zealand • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier. The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft
 Unknown • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		The average age of the New Zealand vehicle fleet is over 14 years and it will therefore be necessary to import and/or manufacture parts for these vehicles for a number of years. Similarly, a specific exemption would be needed for the relevant aircraft and spare parts for those aircraft. -
Production As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register. Republic of Korea • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 (Based on 2016)

Production - Adhesives / Bonding agent: 5 ton/year

Imports - Flame retardant: 519 ton/year
Other:          20 ton/year
Given the past distribution volume and major uses of deca-BDE in Korea, deca-BDE might be used for manufacturing vehicles, aircrafts or their parts. Therefore it is needed to consider an impact on the used car market and trade of Korea and the service life of already manufactured aircraft.

Under the Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles, Korea has developed a flame retardancy standard for 26 electrical and electronic products such as heaters and electric ovens, which is less than 0.1wt%. Korea is now considering to add more product types into the coverage under this standard 		-
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.
Republic of Korea • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier. The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 (Based on 2016)

Total: 647 ton/year
• Flame retardant 459 ton/year
• Adhesives / Bonding agent 116 ton/year
• Other: 72 ton/year 		• Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.
Given the past distribution volume and major uses of deca-BDE in Korea, deca-BDE might be used for manufacturing vehicles, aircrafts or their parts. Therefore it is needed to consider an impact on the used car market and trade of Korea and the service life of already manufactured aircraft.

Under the Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles, Korea has developed a flame retardancy standard for 26 electrical and electronic products such as heaters and electric ovens, which is less than 0.1wt%. Korea is now considering to add more product types into the coverage under this standard 		-
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.
Norway • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier. The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 Not provided • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A,
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft,
 Not provided -
Production As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register. Switzerland • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 Unknown • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		- -
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		Switzerland • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier. The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 Unknown • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft. 		- -
Production As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
 • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
• For aircraft: At the end of the service life of the aircraft.
 - • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A,
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft,
- -
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A.
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
 • For vehicles: The specific exemptions for parts for use in legacy vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of legacy vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier. The specific exemptions for parts for use in vehicles shall expire at the end of the service life of vehicles or in 2036, whichever comes earlier.
- • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2.(a) (i)-(iii) of Part IX of Annex A,
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft,
- -
Use • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft
• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
Viet Nam
 18/12/2023 30 tons / year (The figure is roughly estimated based on recent years’ statistical data. According to Viet Nam’s Law on Environment Protection 2020, precise amount of decaBDE imported and used by each enterprise will be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on a case-by-case basis) • Parts for use in vehicles specified in paragraph 2 of Part IX of Annex A
• Aircraft for which type approval has been applied for before December 2018 and has been received before December 2022 and spare parts for those aircraft
 Currently Viet Nam is still using decaBDE as the input material for direct production and in the articles, products, commodities and equipment containing decaBDE in several fields such as chemical, plastic, textile, electric – electronic, insulation materials in building, vehicles Since 2020, Viet Nam has internalized the requirements on POPs management of the Stockholm Convention in Viet Nam's environmental protection legislation.

The DecaBDE management has been regulated under the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and the Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated 10th January 2022 of the Government guiding the implementation of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, whose purpose is to protect human health and the environment from POPs' adverse impact.

Besides, Viet Nam has regulated and implemented to control and monitor for the DBDE and articles, products, equipment containing DBDE under the Circular No. 10/2021/TT-BTNMT dated 30th June 2021 of the Minister of National Resources and Environment on environmental monitoring techniques and management of environmental quality monitoring information and data, including the techniques for monitoring of the POPs (including 12 old POPs and 18 new POPs, covering DBDE) in the environment components and in articles, products, commodities and equipment.

At this time, Viet Nam is developing the draft National Technical Regulation on thresholds for POPs in articles, products, commodities and equipment aims to inspect and assess the quality of articles, products, commodities and equipment containing POPs, including DBDE.

Viet Nam will continue to investigate, inventory, monitor, inspect and assess the DBDE and articles, products, commodities and equipment containing DBDE in conformity with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention in upcoming time.

* Based on the date of entry into force of the amendment for that Party

Expired and withdrawn specific exemptions

Activity

Specific exemption

Party

Expiry date

Estimated quantity of production / use

Purpose(s) of production / use

Reason for exemption

Remarks

Production

As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register.

China

31/12/2023

Not provided

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part
• Polyurethane foam for building insulation

-

On withdrawal: as of December 31, 2023, the specific exemptions for the production and use of Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and Short-chain chlorinated paraffins, which were retained under notifications submitted on June 6, 2023, have now expired. China has fully phased out the production, use, and import/export of the above-mentioned chemicals. In line with this development, we are sending a formal notification to withdraw the entries from the register. We trust that the Secretariat will update the records accordingly to reflect this significant environmental milestone for China.

Use

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.
• Polyurethane foam for building insulation

China

31/12/2023

 

Not provided

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.
• Polyurethane foam for building insulation

-

On withdrawal: as of December 31, 2023, the specific exemptions for the production and use of Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and Short-chain chlorinated paraffins, which were retained under notifications submitted on June 6, 2023, have now expired. China has fully phased out the production, use, and import/export of the above-mentioned chemicals. In line with this development, we are sending a formal notification to withdraw the entries from the register. We trust that the Secretariat will update the records accordingly to reflect this significant environmental milestone for China.

Production

As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register.

European Union

• For additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters: 18/12/2023.

-

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

-

 

Use

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

European Union

• For additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters: 18/12/2023.

-

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

-

 

Use

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys.

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

18/12/2023

100 tonnes

Use as fire retardant in textile.

DecaBDE is used as an additive flame retardant and has a variety of applications including textiles, coatings and etc. in Iran.

 

Use

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

Norway

18/12/2023

Not provided

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

Not provided

 

Production

As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register.

Republic of Korea

18/12/2023

(Based on 2016)

Production - Adhesives / Bonding agent: 5 ton/year

Imports - Flame retardant: 519 ton/year
Other:          20 ton/year

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

Under the Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles, Korea has developed a flame retardancy standard for 26 electrical and electronic products such as heaters and electric ovens, which is less than 0.1wt%. Korea is now considering to add more product types into the coverage under this standard

 

Use

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

Republic of Korea

18/12/2023

(Based on 2016)

Total: 647 ton/year
• Flame retardant 459 ton/year
• Adhesives / Bonding agent 116 ton/year
• Other: 72 ton/year

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

Under the Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles, Korea has developed a flame retardancy standard for 26 electrical and electronic products such as heaters and electric ovens, which is less than 0.1wt%. Korea is now considering to add more product types into the coverage under this standard

 

Production

As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

18/12/2023

-

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

-

 

Use

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• For additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters: 18/12/2023

-

• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part.

 

 

Use

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part
• Polyurethane foam for building insulation

Viet Nam

18/12/2023

30 tons / year (The figure is roughly estimated based on recent years’ statistical data. According to Viet Nam’s Law on Environment Protection 2020, precise amount of decaBDE imported and used by each enterprise will be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on a case-by-case basis)

• Textile products that require anti-flammable characteristics, excluding clothing and toys
• Additives in plastic housings and parts used for heating home appliances, irons, fans, immersion heaters that contain or are in direct contact with electrical parts or are required to comply with fire retardancy standards, at concentrations lower than 10 per cent by weight of the part
• Polyurethane foam for building insulation

Currently Viet Nam is still using decaBDE as the input material for direct production and in the articles, products, commodities and equipment containing decaBDE in several fields such as chemical, plastic, textile, electric – electronic, insulation materials in building, vehicles

Since 2020, Viet Nam has internalized the requirements on POPs management of the Stockholm Convention in Viet Nam's environmental protection legislation.

The DecaBDE management has been regulated under the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and the Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated 10th January 2022 of the Government guiding the implementation of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, whose purpose is to protect human health and the environment from POPs' adverse impact.

Besides, Viet Nam has regulated and implemented to control and monitor for the DBDE and articles, products, equipment containing DBDE under the Circular No. 10/2021/TT-BTNMT dated 30th June 2021 of the Minister of National Resources and Environment on environmental monitoring techniques and management of environmental quality monitoring information and data, including the techniques for monitoring of the POPs (including 12 old POPs and 18 new POPs, covering DBDE) in the environment components and in articles, products, commodities and equipment.

At this time, Viet Nam is developing the draft National Technical Regulation on thresholds for POPs in articles, products, commodities and equipment aims to inspect and assess the quality of articles, products, commodities and equipment containing POPs, including DBDE.

Viet Nam will continue to investigate, inventory, monitor, inspect and assess the DBDE and articles, products, commodities and equipment containing DBDE in conformity with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention in upcoming time.