EU Environmental Assessment Report backs Deca-BDE for its continued use in Europe

On December 4th, Deca-BDE, a leading flame retardant chemical for upholstered furniture and E&E equipment, received European scientific approval for its continued use following final conclusions of the EU Environment Risk Assessment Report (RAR) by EU experts held on December 2-4.1

The EU RAR concluded that Deca-BDE presents an acceptably low risk to the environment and that there is no need for further scientific studies. Due to Deca-BDE's presence in the environment, the EU RAR also concluded a continued need to monitor the environment for a limited period. An environmental monitoring programme is already being implemented through the existing industry monitoring and emissions reduction programme. Furthermore, BSEF has committed by May 2004 to develop in cooperation with regulators, in the key regions of Deca-BDE use in the EU, a timed and resourced programme of emissions reductions and independent environmental monitoring. A Code of Practice for Deca-BDE users will be developed to spread best practice throughout Deca-BDE user industries.
In addition, vast amounts of scientific studies have been evaluated which conclude there is no risk from the levels found for human health.2 After completion of 8 years of independent scientific study under the EU risk assessment, Deca-BDE is the flame retardant chemical with the most data supporting its use and is compatible with the requirements under the newly proposed EU chemicals policy - REACH.

On the basis of today's scientific conclusion, BSEF expects the EU Commission to propose that Deca-BDE be exempted under the EU RoHS Directive, which restricts hazardous substances from E&E equipment. Such a revision of the RoHS Directive will allow Deca-BDE's continued use in E&E.3 No similar regulatory framework exists for textiles and furniture.

Why is Deca-BDE used?
Deca-BDE is used as a flame retardant in plastics for electrical and electronic equipment as well as in textiles, as a flame retardant preventing deaths and injuries from fire. Deca-BDE is used in textile backcoating in furniture so that upholstered furniture can meet the UK and Irish fire safety standards, the highest standards in the world. These standards have resulted in over 3,000 lives being saved in 10 years according to UK government calculations.4 Other European countries limit their fire safety requirements to furniture in public places, such as cinemas, theatres, hospitals, trains and buses.

Is Deca-BDE likely to pose a risk to human health?
No. Deca-BDE is the flame retardant chemical with the most scientific data supporting its use following 8 years of scientific study under an EU scientific assessment. The final Human Health EU risk assessment conclusions indicate that Deca-BDE poses no significant health risk. A recent review of existing scientific studies by the UK Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), found that consumer and worker exposure is "extremely small" and "the risk of adverse health effects arising from these exposures is negligible".5

What should be done about environmental levels?
The industry welcomes monitoring reports that provide additional data in order to enable a scientific assessment of levels of risk for the environment and human health. The industry has itself initiated extensive environmental monitoring reports from leading independent scientists and is committed to follow up with further monitoring. On this basis, emission reductions have already been achieved by industry. We commit to achieve further environmental emission reductions of Deca-BDE and to measure and publish emissions data from household furniture.

What is BSEF?
The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF), formed by the bromine industry in October 1997, is dedicated to furthering the scientific understanding of bromine products. It is dedicated to furthering the scientific understanding of brominated products and to improve the environmental, safety and health impact of these products. The Bromine Forum commissions leading experts to undertake research and scientific assessments of bromine products and their applications, such as flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, water treatment etc. BSEF understands the possible environmental and health concerns around its products and has made a priority to address the concerns. Among other actions, it has established a voluntary programme to reduce further emissions of BFRs to the environment.

BSEF supports the work of the industry's regional industry panels/sector groups, such as the US-based Brominated Flame Retardant Panel (BFRIP) and its European counterpart, EBFRIP (http://www.ebfrip.org)





Sam Xu
Sales Engineer

DONGGUAN JIEFU FLAME-RETARDED MATERIALS CO.,LTD
Address: jiefu industrial park shuiping industrail district dalang town dongguan GD,P.R.C
Zip: 528770
Tel: 0086-755-83474911
FAX: 0086-755-83474980
Mobile:13929211059
Contact me: xubiao_1996@hotmail.com samjiefu@gmail.com

Jiefu Chemical industry LTD . (Our imports and exports company )

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DONGGUAN JIEFU FLAME-RETARDED MATERIALS CO.,LTD