A study by the German Environmental Agency (UBA) has found that the phthalate DPHP has become the primary substitute for DEHP.  DEHP has been a REACH Candidate List SVHC since 2008 and was restricted by the EU RoHS Directive in EEE starting in 2019.  It was commonly used as a plasticizer in wire sheathing and other soft plastic parts.  The study, which conducted testing of phthalate levels in the environment between 2006 and 2017 found that the level of DEHP went from a mean of 2,710 nanograms per gram of dry weight (ng/g dw) to 991ng/g dw. Whereas DPHP has increased from 57ng/g dw to 550ng/g dw over the same time period.

The increased use of DPHP has gained it additional attention with regulators; the phthalate is undergoing evaluation this year to consider:

• potential endocrine disruption;
• exposure of sensitive populations;
• high aggregated tonnage; and
• wide dispersive use.

Impact on EEE Manufacturers

There is a possibility that DPHP may exhibit properties that makes it eligible as a candidate to become a REACH SVHC.  Manufacturers should try to collect and maintain information on phthalates that are used in the product parts they procure.