Most-used flame retardant TBBPA approved by EU

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels -- The flame retardant, “Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), " is approved for use by the EU for all its applications," according to the European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel.

TBBPA is used in a few areas of the rubber industry, but its main use is as one of the monomers to form the epoxy resin, therefore it no longer exists as a free chemical in the final board but forms part of the polymeric backbone of the resin.

Dr. Veronique Steukers, EBFRIP Chair, has welcomed the forthcoming publication of the conclusions of the TBBPA Risk Assessment in the EU Official Journal. This will enable a smooth transition of the brominated flame retardant TBBPA through the REACH registration procedure, as the science needed to register TBBPA has now been completed in the context of the Risk Assessment.

Dr Steukers said: “TBBPA has undergone an 8-year EU Risk Assessment to evaluate its effects on human health and the environment. The Risk Assessment, and the subsequent Risk Reduction Strategy, did not foresee any legislative restriction for TBBPA."

Dr Steukers said TBBPA, “is the largest volume brominated flame retardant in use today to improve the fire safety of printed circuit boards[2] and plastics in electrical and electronic equipment[3]. TBBPA is used in more than 70% of the world's E&E appliances”.