ROSEMONT, IL - In its report defining alternatives to phthalate plasticizers, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) named dibenzoate plasticizers, commercially known as Benzoflex® Plasticizers, as a replacement for phthalates. The ECHA butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) technical report says, “The main direct alternative to BBP in vinyl flooring, and other applications, has been dibenzoate plasticisers.”

 

The report calculated “derived no effect levels” (DNEL) for the BBP alternatives in order to assess their human health effects. The dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (DGD, or Benzoflex 9-88) values were considerably more favorable than the other BBP alternative chemistries examined. The dibenzoate plasticizers, available globally by Genovique Specialties™ Corp., are also discussed as alternative chemistries in the ECHA reports on replacing dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

 

The ECHA, located in Helsinki, Finland, manages the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) processes to ensure consistency across the European Union. The ECHA recently commissioned technical reports to define alternatives to phthalate plasticizers on its Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list. Products on the SVHC list may become subject to authorization by decision of the ECHA. Therefore, companies using authorized materials in the European Union will be required to find a substitute or pay a significant penalty. ECHA has now posted those technical reports on its website, www.echa.europa.eu, under consultations, authorization, draft recommendations, prioritization.