EU RoHS Directive: Consideration of Adding Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) to Restricted Substances
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Not adopted (no amendment to Annex II has been adopted, as of October 2026)
Overview
This card covers the consideration of adding medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) to Annex II of the EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). No amendment to Annex II has been adopted, and the Directive still restricts ten substances (European Commission RoHS page, as of October 2026).
MCCPs (chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths of C14–C17) are widely used as flame-retardant plasticizers in PVC, rubber, adhesives, and cutting oils, while TBBP-A is widely used as a flame retardant in the epoxy resin of printed wiring boards (PWBs). Both substances raise concerns over environmental persistence and toxicity, and the restriction as considered would, in principle, have prohibited content above 0.1% by weight for both.
Enforcement Timeline
2021: A technical review commissioned by the European Commission (RoHS Pack 15) issues its final recommendation to add MCCPs and TBBP-A to the restricted substances list.
As of October 2026: No amendment to Annex II has been adopted, and ten substances remain restricted (European Commission RoHS page).
Business Impact
Printed wiring board (PWB) manufacturers and makers of electronic components, resin materials, and wire insulation should consider eliminating TBBP-A from board-grade epoxy resin (transitioning to halogen-free boards) and switching away from MCCPs in PVC and rubber parts (no amendment to Annex II has been adopted, as of October 2026).