The IEC 62474 online database was updated on July 15, 2015. Version D9.00 of the Declarable Substance List (DSL) and the Reference Substance List (RSL) are now available for use by EEE manufacturers, suppliers, and IT solution providers. The data exchange format (XML schema and developer’s table) is now version X6.01 (this is a minor editorial revision from X6.00). The database update is the final step in maintenance cycle (MC-2015-01) which was started earlier this year.
The IEC 62474 DSL is an internationally recognized and harmonized list of substances and substance groups that are regulated and may be constituents of electrical and electronic products and systems. Electrical and electronic manufacturers and suppliers use the DSL in their design and supply chain management operations to specify and control substances of concern. The list is typically updated as needed based on regulatory changes. For additional information about IEC 62474, see the article About IEC 62474. The IEC 62474 database is available online (free of charge); the standard itself which specifies the material declaration requirements and rules may be purchased in the same manner as any other IEC standard — from the IEC webstore or a reseller.
Additions to the Declarable Substance List (DSL)
A couple of regulatory changes drove the addition of two new entries to the DSL – the EU REACH Candidate List and the Canadian “Products Containing Mercury Regulations (SOR/2014-254) “. The new entries are listed in the table below
DSL Changes Based on Regulatory Changes (MC-2015-01)
| Specific Substance | CAS number | Typical Applications | Reportable Applications | Reporting Threshold | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-10-alkyl esters; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mixed decyl and hexyl and octyl diesters with ≥ 0.3% of dihexyl phthalate (EC No. 201-559-5) | 68515-51-5, 68648-93-1 | Plasticisers, lubricants, adhesives, coatings, cable compounding, polymer foils, PVC compound coatings, paints, thinners, paint removers, fillers, putties, plasters, ink and toners, greases, release products, polymer preparations and compounds, and semiconductors | All | 0.1 mass% | REACH Candidate List |
| Mercury/Mercury Compounds | - | Silver-oxide button cells, alkaline batteries, zinc carbon batteries | Batteries | 0.005 mass% | Canadian Products Containing Mercury Regulations |
EU REACH Candidate List
One of the two SVHCs added to the REACH Candidate List on June 15, 2015 was found to have potential uses within the EEE industry and was therefore included in the DSL. The validation team did not find any evidence that the other SVHC added to the Candidate List (which is used as a fragrance) is applicable to EEE.
Canadian Products Containing Mercury Regulations
The Products Containing Mercury Regulations specifies its mercury thresholds based on homogeneous materials. The 0.1 mass% of homogeneous materials for most products is harmonized with the mercury/mercury compounds threshold of EU RoHS. However, the 0.0005 mass% of homogeneous materials in batteries is stricter than the EU Battery Directive’s threshold of 0.0005 mass% of the entire battery.
The Canadian restriction is clearly stricter than the EU Battery Directive; however, there are other emerging battery regulations in Asia that are also stricter then the EU Directive but still based on the mass of the whole battery (0.0001 mass% of battery). This creates a dilemma in specifying the threshold that is the strictest. The Canadian regulation will typically be stricter in small batteries and the 0.0001 mass% of the battery may be stricter in larger batteries. Given the challenge in specifying which threshold is stricter, both thresholds are now specified as separate entries in the IEC 62474 DSL. Suppliers of a battery containing mercury or a product containing such a battery need to consider both thresholds when determining their declaration requirements. However, even if both thresholds are exceeded, the mercury/mercury compounds would be declared only once for each instance of mercury in the product. If both thresholds are exceeded, both thresholds should be listed in the declaration. In a future article, we’ll be providing information on how to do this in a material declaration.
Substance Groups with an Exhaustive List of Reference Substances.
For most declarable substance groups that are included in the DSL, the reference substance list (RSL) provides a list of example substances that are included in the substance group. These reference substance lists are indicative and no attempt has been made to provide an exhaustive set of such substances.
However, for a few declarable substance groups, the reference substance list is a complete (i.e. exhaustive) list of substances as specified in a regulation. For these substance groups with a complete substance list on the RSL, additional comments have been added to the DSL entries to clarify that the list is complete. The comment field now includes “Note: This declarable substance group has a complete list of substances that is specified in the reference substance list”. This should provide users with additional clarity.
The substance groups with a complete list of reference substances are provided in the table below.
Substance Groups with a complete list of reference substance
| ID | Substance Group |
|---|---|
| 00003 | Asbestos |
| 00004 | Azocolourants and azodyes which form certain aromatic amines |
| 00020 | Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and all major diastereoisomers identified: Alpha-hexabromocyclododecane Beta-hexabromocyclododecane Gamma-hexabromocyclododecane |
| 00036 | Phthalates, Selected Group 1 (BBP, DBP, DEHP) |
| 00037 | Phthalates, Selected Group 2 (DIDP, DINP, DNOP) |
| 00103 | Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and individual salts and esters of PFOA |
| 00104 | Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and individual salts and esters of PFOA |
Changes to the Reference Substance List (RSL)
A few changes were made to the Reference Substance List (RSL).
- The reference substances that are part of a complete list (as discussed above) had a comment added “This reference substance is part of a complete list as specified in the regulation or standard indicated in the BasisDescription field of the DSL entry”
- The reference substance ” Trichlorotetrafluoropropane” (HCFC-224cc) included in the substance group “Ozone Depleting Substances (CFC, Halon, HBFC, HCFC & others)” had an incorrect CAS number listed. The CAS number was updated to 422-51-5.
Material Classes
There were no changes to the Material Classes.
Data Exchange Format (Developer’s Table and XML Schema)
The IEC 62474 Developer’s Table has been updated with one minor editorial change and no technical changes:
- The definition of the “aboveThresholdLevel” attribute (ACB122) was revised to better explain how the field is used. The revised definition states: True/False response stating whether the substance is contained in the product above or below the stated threshold. If the substance is or may be at or above the stated Threshold, the response shall be “True”. If the substance is known to be below the stated Threshold, the response would be “False”.
There were no changes to the XML schema.
Entries that are new or revised will have a LastRevised date of 2015-07-15.
If anyone is aware of errors or omissions in the database (e.g. a regulated substances that is not included in the DSL but has potential EEE applications), please send an email to ECD Compliance and we will review and address with the validation team.
For further information on IEC 62474 or for support on your substance management program, please contact ECD Compliance.
IEC 62474 database: http://std.iec.ch/iec62474