EU Risk Assessment Clears Deca-BDE Flame Retardant

The European Union’s risk assessment of the deca form of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) was released on May 28, 2004, concluding that there is no reason to restrict use of the flame retardant. Nearly ten years in the making, this risk assessment came as a great relief to the chemical industry, which has been faced with rising concerns over PBDEs and other brominated flame retardants (see EBN Vol. 13, No. 6). The conclusions of the risk assessment and lack of restrictions provide a solid basis for the EU to maintain deca-BDE’s exemption from the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, which restricts the use of brominated flame retardants in electrical equipment but specifically exempts deca-BDE.
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