Register of Specific Exemptions: Hexabromocyclododecane

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.

Specific exemptions

Activity Specific exemption Party Expiry date Estimated quantity of production / use Purpose(s) of
production / use
Reason for exemption Remarks
None

Expired and withdrawn specific exemptions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
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A Brazil Expired on 26/11/2019 100 tons approximately Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of the Annex A. Currently in use without appropriate alternatives, transition will take some time. On registration: None.
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A
China Expired on 26/12/2021 Not known Production of hexabromocyclododecane for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of the Annex A Currently in production and use, transition will take some time. On registration: It is difficult to estimate the quantity of annual use of hexabromocyclododecane, because of the lack of information.
Withdrawal notification
On withdrawal/expiry: After consistent and conscious efforts to realize the Convention goals, China will completely eliminate the production, use, import and export of hexabromocyclododecane from 26 December 2021, in accordance with an announcement published by the government of China in December 2016 (Announcement No. 84 of 2016).
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of  Annex A China Expired on 26/12/2021 Not known Use of hexabromocyclododecane in expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of the Annex A Currently in production and use, transition will take some time. On registration: It is difficult to estimate the quantity of annual use of hexabromocyclododecane, because of the lack of information.
Withdrawal notification
On withdrawal/expiry: After consistent and conscious efforts to realize the Convention goals, China will completely eliminate the production, use, import and export of hexabromocyclododecane from 26 December 2021, in accordance with an announcement published by the government of China in December 2016 (Announcement No. 84 of 2016).
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A
Czechia Expired on 26/11/2019 Total quantity unknown however it is about 500 t for the construction materials produced in the Czech Republic Production of hexabromocyclododecane for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of the Annex A Need to continue to ensure insulation and energy efficiency of buildings in the Czech Republic and a challenge in identifying a suitable, less hazardous and viable flame retardant alternative(s) to HBCDD for the production of insulation materials from expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene On registration: It is difficult to estimate the quantity of annual use of the HBCDD, because of the lack of information, in particular for those relevant construction materials that are not produced in the Czech Republic, but are available on the market.
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of  Annex A Czechia Expired on 26/11/2019 Total quantity unknown however it is about 500 t for the construction materials produced in the Czech Republic Use of hexabromocyclododecane for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of the Annex A Need to continue to ensure insulation and energy efficiency of buildings in the Czech Republic and a challenge in identifying a suitable, less hazardous and viable flame retardant alternative(s) to HBCDD for the production of insulation materials from expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene On registration: It is difficult to estimate the quantity of annual use of the HBCDD, because of the lack of information, in particular for those relevant construction materials that are not produced in the Czech Republic, but are available on the market.
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A. European Union 21/08/2017.
The requested duration is until 21 August 2017 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the authorisation granted for production and use of HBCDD under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which will cease to be valid on that date at the latest.
13,000 tons per annum. The specific exemption is requested for the production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the terms of an authorisation granted for use of HBCDD under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The continued production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings until 21 August 2017 is required in order to give industry the time required for complete transition to alternatives. Withdrawal notification
On withdrawal: The expiry date for production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings in the EU pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the authorization granted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 was 21 August 2017. Therefore, as of the date of receipt of [the letter of withdrawal], the EU would like to notify the Secretariat of the withdrawal of its entry from the Register for a specific exemption in accordance with Article 4(8) of the Stockholm Convention.
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of  Annex A European Union 21/08/2017.
The requested duration is until 21 August 2017 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the authorisation granted for production and use of HBCDD under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which will cease to be valid on that date at the latest.
13,000 tons per annum. The specific exemption is requested for the production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the terms of an authorisation granted for use of HBCDD under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The continued production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings until 21 August 2017 is required in order to give industry the time required for complete transition to alternatives. Withdrawal notification
On withdrawal: The expiry date for production and use of HBCDD in expanded polystyrene in buildings in the EU pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 in conjunction with the authorization granted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 was 21 August 2017. Therefore, as of the date of receipt of [the letter of withdrawal], the EU would like to notify the Secretariat of the withdrawal of its entry from the Register for a specific exemption in accordance with Article 4(8) of the Stockholm Convention.
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A Republic of Korea Expired on 27/10/2020 1,536 tons
Research for HBCD alternative materials is on-going but HBCD is still used as building materials
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A Saudi Arabia Expired on 26/11/2019 Total quantity – 1125 Tons subject to increase in light of the new Compulsory Thermal Insulation Standards that Saudi Arabia has decreed in August 2014 Specific exemption for use as provided for by the Convention i.e. for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings To comply with Saudi Arabian Standard Organization Fire classification on flame spread and smoke development for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene used in buildings On registration: As per part VII of paragraph SC-6/13 of Annex A Saudi Arabia will take necessary measures to ensure that expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene are easily identified by labeling to stand for the life of the product 
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of Annex A Türkiye Expired on 26/11/2019 Not known as yet Production of hexabromocyclododecane for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings Currently in use without appropriate alternatives to ensure insulation and energy efficiency of buildings and transition will take some time. On registration: None
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of Part VII of  Annex A Türkiye Expired on 26/11/2019 Not known as yet Use of hexabromocyclododecane for expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings Currently in use without appropriate alternatives to ensure insulation and energy efficiency of buildings and transition will take some time. On registration: None