Afirm Ortho Phenylphenol

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Chemical Information Document

Version 1.0 January 2018

ORTHO-PHENYLPHENOL (OPP)

Other Names o-pp; OPP Ortho-Phenylphenol (OPP) is an organic chemical


2-Biphenyl (1,1-biphenyl)-2-ol
that is a white, buff, crystalline (sand-like) solid.
OPP has biocidal properties, making it useful for
various preservation applications.
CAS Number Substance

90-43-7 Ortho-phenylphenol Uses in the Supply Chain


Leathers: Due to its preservative properties, OPP is used as
an auxiliary to protect leather through various production
stages, from hide to finished good
May Be Found In ▪ Leather
▪ Dyed synthetic fibers
Textiles: OPP may be used in textile material production as
a dye carrier, especially for synthetic fibers.

Why OPP is Restricted


▪ Many brands and several voluntary standards limit concentrations of OPP in finished goods, especially in textile
articles since there are known safer dye carrier alternatives. In leather, OPP is still a preferred preservative for
use during wet blue production, but it should be carefully controlled to minimize final concentrations.
▪ OPP has been found to cause skin changes (discoloration) and irritation to the mucous membranes,
particularly of the eyes.1
▪ Chemical hazard information for many chemicals can be found at the following external databases:
o GESTIS Substance Database: Here (external link)
o US National Library of Medicine: Here (external link)
o USA EPA Occupational Chemical Database: Here (external link)

Sourcing Compliant Materials from Your Suppliers


▪ Contact your suppliers and explain that you require their manufactured materials to be compliant with the
current AFIRM RSL limit.2
▪ Require suppliers to submit a confirmation of material compliance or a test report from a third-party laboratory.
▪ When materials are received, consider performing risk-based testing to ensure the current AFIRM RSL limit is
met.
▪ Share this information sheet with your material suppliers so they have full visibility and understand your
sourcing requirements.
▪ Pay special attention to suppliers of leather and synthetic fibers, as OPP is often an active ingredient in
preserving agents and dye carriers.

Sourcing Compliant Formulations from Your Chemical Suppliers


In large part, there is no “compliant formulation” unless it does not contain OPP as part of the preservation treatment.
Refer to positive lists available through leather and textile communities to research alternate formulations. In general,
for all formulations:
▪ Request SDS documentation that meets current GHS requirements.
▪ Contact your suppliers and explain that you require formulations to be compliant with the current ZDHC MRSL
limits whenever applicable – note that currently, OPP is not listed on the MRSL.
▪ Discuss with your chemical supplier whether any safer alternatives are available that are suitable substitutes for
your production needs.
▪ Prior to procuring any formulation, the chemical properties must be reviewed to ensure that proper protective
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Chemical Information Document

equipment, chemical storage facilities, facility engineering controls, and associated treatment/disposal facilities
are appropriate for the chemical(s).

Safer Alternatives
As each Apparel or Footwear brand may handle preservation chemistries differently, the starting point is to engage with
the specific brand to gather details about their individual requirements. There are alternatives available for OPP,
depending on the preservation needed and the biology of the affected material. Each application is unique and requires
a review of efficacy of the treatment.
▪ The proper (minimum effective) amount of any biocide needs to be determined to avoid over-application of this
class of chemistry.
▪ Specific considerations of wastewater treatment need to be made any time a biocidal chemistry is in use, to
avoid release into the environment.

Additional Information
Visit ECHA’s Candidate List of substances of very high concern to view dossiers for many restricted substances
https://echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table.

OPP is a well-known preserving agent in the leather industry that is listed in the REACH Biocidal Product Rule (BPR).
In general, a single preservative such as OPP should not be used alone for extended periods of time. This type of use
can lead to a buildup of resistance which makes the treatment ineffective.

References
1 Appareland Footwear International RSL Management Group (Ed.). (2018, January 31). Restricted Substances List
(RSL). Retrieved http://afirm-group.com/afirm-rsl/
2 Institutefor Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance. (n.d.). Biphenyl-2-ol. Retrieved
August, 15, 2017, from http://gestis-
en.itrust.de/nxt/gateway.dll/gestis_en/000000.xml?f=templates$fn=default.htm$vid=gestiseng:sdbeng$3.

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