ECHA identifies certain brominated flame retardants as candidates for restriction

ECHA has released its Regulatory Strategy for Flame Retardants, identifying aromatic brominated flame retardants as candidates for an EU-wide restriction. This would minimise the exposure of people and the environment to these persistent, potentially bioaccumulative and toxic substances. 

Aromatic brominated flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are generally persistent in the environment. Many, like decabromodiphenylether, are also known or suspected of being toxic and accumulating in people and animals. Their release could be minimised through an EU-wide restriction. 

The restriction scope could cover all aromatic brominated flame retardants that are confirmed or will be confirmed to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) through harmonised classification or identification as substances of very high concern (SVHCs).