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TOYS

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

CHEMICAL

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

HARDLINES

SOFTLINES

REGULATIONS OF DIFFERENT     COUNTRIES

 

 

 

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HALOGEN FREE AND BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS

Recent concerns over use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have increased interest in halogen-free electronics. However, BFRs are not the only source of halogens in PCBs. Most PCB resins are epoxies and epoxy resins contain measurable levels of chlorine. Additional halogens are added to PCB laminates through glass sizes, wetting agents, curing agents and resin accelerators. It is important to realize that even without use of BFRs, there may be finite levels of halogens present as impurities in your product.

The International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) defines halogen-free based on chlorine and bromine levels.

 

IEC 61249-2-21: definition of halogen free

  • 900 ppm maximum chlorine
  • 900 ppm maximum bromine
  • 1500 ppm maximum total halogens

 

THE MOST COMMONLY USED FLAME RETARDANTS IN ELECTRONICS

 

The most commonly used flame retardants in electronics are Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) and Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ether(DecaBDE).

BFRs are used in electronics to save lives and reduce property damage by preventing the spread of fire. BFRs are a family of 75 chemical substances with different properties, characteristics, and performance.

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) is the produced flame retardants used in 95 percent of printed circuit boards and computer chip casings. Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ether(DecaBDE) is used as a flame retardant in the housings of computers as well as in other electrical and electronic applications, particularly in TVs. Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Penta- and Octa- Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (BDEs) are prohibited by major manufacturers and as a result, they are rarely found in EEE (electrical and electronic equipment) manufactured today.

 

REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATION

There are no bans or restrictions on the use of TBBPA or DecaBDE in EEE. However, other BFRs are banned in the U.S. and Europe.

In the U.S., manufacture of Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE was voluntarily ended on December 31, 2004. Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE (and articles containing them) have been prohibited in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island.

Under the EU Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS), penta- and octa-BDE  were banned from electronics as of July 1, 2006.  Following the results of a ten-year risk assessment (will be published soon) indicating no significant environmental or health risks, the EU Commission exempted decaBDE from the RoHS Directive in October 2005.

The EU Commission’s decaBDE exemption has been the source of much controversy, particularly with the EU Parliament. The Parliament has strongly opposed the Commission’s decision and has taken its case to the European Court of Justice to annul the decaBDE exemption. The European Court of Justice has issued a ruling for this.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES

Existing risk assessments do not demonstrate a public health or environmental concern from the most widely used flame retardants in electronic equipment, DecaBDE and TBBPA.

BFRs are a diverse family of 75 chemical substances with different properties, characteristics, and performance. Certain flame retardants such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and penta and octa-brominated flame retardants have been found to pose environmental and health concerns and are rarely found in electronic equipment manufactured today. However, the existing risk assessments for BFRs TBBPA and DecaBDE, which are predominately used in EEE, do not demonstrate a public health or environmental concern. TBBPA and DecaBDE, which are effective flame retardants that save lives and reduce property damage by preventing the spread of fire, are too often mistakenly associated with PBBs, PentaBDE, and OctaBDE.

 

Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs)
PBBs have been found to be persistent, bioaccumulative toxins and are classified as possible carcinogens. However, most production of PBBs ceased in the 1970s. Major manufacturers prohibit their use, and, as a result, PBBs are rarely found in electronic equipment manufactured today.

 

Penta- and Octa- Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (BDEs)
Penta- and Octa- BDEs are considered possible endocrine disruptors. The European Union and the states of
California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island have banned the use of penta- and octa- BDEs in EEE.  As of 2004, the chemical industry has voluntarily agreed to stop production of these BFRs in the US. Major manufacturers prohibit their use and as a result, they are rarely found in EEE manufactured today.

 

Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers
The EU recently conducted a risk assessment of DecaBDE and both the environment and human risk assessment reports concluded that the chemical presents no significant risk on these areas. Other studies (National Academy of Sciences, World Health Organization) also found the risks posed by DecaBDE to be insignificant.  To address continuing concerns regarding DecaBDE persistence and bioaccumulation, industry will be developing voluntary risk reduction and monitoring strategies.

 

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)
The World Health Organization conducted a scientific assessment of TBBPA and found that the risk for the general population is considered to be insignificant. Six separate studies published between 1990 and 1997 support the conclusion that the manufacture, use and disposal of information technology devices containing TBBPA-flame retarded printed circuit boards do not increase human dioxin exposure. The EU is currently conducting a risk assessment for TBBPA In 2005, the risk assessment confirmed no health effects of concern for TBBPA. The environmental risk assessment is pending finalization in mid 2007. Preliminary results indicate no risk for TBBPA when used as a reactive, such as in the epoxy resins of printed circuit boards. Technical experts confirmed a risk for sediment and water when TBBPA is added to ABS plastics.

 

 

 

 

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