Afirm Organotin Compounds v2

Chemical Information Sheet
Version 2.0 | March 2021
ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS
Other Names Tin organic compounds Organotin compounds (organotins) are substances
Organostannic compounds
composed of tin directly bound to different organic
groups. Generally, the mono-, di-, or tri-substituted
CAS Number Substance organotins have the most applications in the apparel and
Various Dibutyltin (DBT)
footwear industry.
Various Dioctyltin (DOT) Uses in the Supply Chain

Organotins are often used as a heat stabilizer in polyvinyl
Various Monobutyltin (MBT)
chloride (PVC), catalyst in the production of polymeric
List continued in “Additional Information” materials, such as polyurethane (PU)-coated fabrics, or in
plastisol prints, rubber, adhesives, etc. They may also be used as
May Be Found In ▪ PVC biocides or preservatives in textiles, leathers and synthetic
▪ PU coatings leathers like PU as well as pesticides. Silicone-based finishes
▪ Polyester
(e.g. for elastomeric properties and water repellency) may also
▪ Plastic trims
contain organotins. The most common application in apparel
▪ Textiles
and footwear supply chains are plastic trims, screen prints, and
▪ Leather
▪ Screen prints
PU-coated fabrics.
▪ Biocides and pesticides
Why Organotins are Restricted

▪ Legislation in major markets around the world restricts the presence of organotins in finished products.
▪ Some organotins are classified as persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic, very persistent and very bioaccumulative.
▪ Certain organotins can be toxic to aquatic life.
▪ Some organotins may act as immunotoxins.
▪ Certain organotin compounds are endocrine disruptors and pose toxicity to reproduction. 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 US OSHA 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 limits.2
▪ Require suppliers to submit a confirmation of material compliance or a test report from a third-party lab.
▪ When materials are received, consider risk-based testing to ensure the current AFIRM RSL limits are 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 PVC materials as organotins are often used to stabilize PVC production.
1
▪ Pay special attention to PU materials, including synthetic leather and coatings, as organotins are commonly used as
catalysts during PU production.
▪ Self-cross-linking silicone or polyester polymers may contain organotins used as catalysts during production.
▪ Leather and textiles treated with biocides may also contain organotins.
Sourcing Compliant Formulations from Your Chemical Suppliers

▪ 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 ZDHC MRSL limits
whenever applicable. 3
▪ 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
equipment, chemical storage facilities, facility engineering controls, and associated treatment/disposal facilities are
appropriate for the chemical(s).
Safer Alternatives
The following substances have been identified as examples of safer alternatives and may be suitable for your production needs.
Any chosen alternative must be ZDHC MRSL compliant whenever applicable.
▪ Calcium-zinc stabilizers may be used in the form of metal carboxylates. These stabilizers are suitable for production
of products with a high degree of clarity, good mechanical properties, excellent organoleptic properties, and good
weatherability.
▪ Organic-based stabilizers are calcium-zinc stabilizers with zinc nearly or completely replaced with organic co-
stabilizers. Benefits of these stabilizers include low migration, low odor, low VOC emissions, good initial color, and
excellent transparency.
▪ Bismuth, titanate, titanium, and zirconium catalysts can be used for PU production.
▪ Titanate catalysts can be used for polyester production, but may change material properties/aesthetic.
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.
▪ Impact assessment of potential restrictions on the marketing and use of certain organotin compounds –
http://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/424ac720-5954-4382-8f3b-5aff32170484
Continued list of CAS numbers and substance names from first page:
CAS Number Substance
Various Tricyclohexyltin (TCyHT)
Various Trimethyltin (TMT)
Various Trioctyltin (TOT)
Various Tripropyltin (TPT)
Various Tributyltin (TBT)
Various Triphenyltin (TPhT)
2
References
1 European Commission Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (2006). Revised Assessment of the Risks to Health and the
Environment Associated with the Use of the Four Organotin Compounds: TBT, DBT, DOT and TPT. Retrieved August 15, 2017, from
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_047.pdf
2 Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group Restricted Substances List (AFIRM RSL) http://afirm-group.com/afirm-rsl/
3 ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL) https://www.roadmaptozero.com/mrsl_online/

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Chemical Information Sheet

Version 2.0 | March 2021

Various Dioctyltin (DOT) Uses in the Supply Chain

Why Organotins are Restricted

Sourcing Compliant Materials from Your Suppliers

Sourcing Compliant Formulations from Your Chemical Suppliers

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