The following press release was issued today by the European Brominated
Flame Retardant Industry Panel (EBFRIP):

 

 

EU exempts Deca-BDE from RoHS Directive

Decision enables continued use of the flame retardant Deca-BDE

in electrical and electronics products

 

(Brussels, 17 October 2005) In a Decision published on 15 October
2005[i], the EU has exempted Deca-BDE from the EU's Directive on the
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)[ii].  This Decision follows
an intensive review of all the available information and is the final
step in the RoHS regulatory procedure for adopting exemptions. 

 

EBFRIP welcomes this EU decision, which has immediate effect and enables
the continued use of Deca-BDE, a highly-effective flame retardant whose
use saves lives and reduces fire-related injuries.

 

The Commission's Decision was taken on the basis of the results of a
ten-year EU risk assessment which evaluated 588 studies and concluded
that the use of Deca-BDE does not pose health or environmental
risks.[iii]  The Decision also supports the majority opinion of EU
Member States which, on 2 September 2005, voted on the exemption of
Deca-BDE with more than twice the number of votes for than against.

 

"This Decision is well-supported by science", declared Dr Dieter
Drohmann, EBFRIP Chairman, "It is reassuring news for electronics
manufacturers worldwide who use Deca-BDE as their flame retardant of
choice.  They can now confidently continue to use Deca-BDE, the most
tested flame retardant, for the European market. It provides a
predictable business environment and contributes to greater
competitiveness in Europe and elsewhere."

 

On fire safety, Dr Drohmann added: "The use of this flame retardant
makes a huge contribution to fire safety - many lives have been saved
and the incidence of related injuries reduced. The EU's Decision comes
at a time when there is growing recognition for greater fire safety
measures in Europe."

 

Deca-BDE is a brominated flame retardant used to prevent ignition and
slow the spread of fires in the plastic components of electrical and
electronics equipment, as well as in the textiles and transportation
industries.

 




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________________________________

[i] Commission Decision of 13 October 2005 amending for the purposes of
adapting to the technical progress the Annex to Directive 2002/95/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council on the restriction of the use
of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment,
OJ L271 of 15 October 2005, page 48.  Please see document at:
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_271/l_2712
0051015en00480050.pdf

 

[ii]  Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous
substances in electrical and electronic equipment, OJ L37, page 19, 13
February 2003. 

 

[iii]  The exemption of Deca-BDE applications in plastics complies with
the procedure established in Paragraph 10 of the Annex to the RoHS
Directive, which states: "Within the procedure referred to in Article
7(2), the Commission shall evaluate the applications for: Deca-BDE,
(...) as a matter of priority in order to establish as soon as possible
whether these items are to be amended accordingly."

 

 

BSEF has also created a webpage quoting what recognized scientific
experts and international research bodies have said about brominated
flame retardants - see link
http://www.bsef.com/bromine/what_the_experts_say/index.php

 

With kind regards,

Lawrie McLaren
BSEF - Programme Director
Tel: +32 2 733 93 70

BSEF is the international organisation of the bromine chemical industry,
whose remit is to inform stakeholders and commission science on
brominated chemicals such as flame retardants.

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