On January 17, 2008, the Norwegian government announced that it would implement a unilateral ban on the use of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE) starting April 1, 2008. The decision was made with environmental and health concerns in mind, and the ban applies to all uses of Deca-BDE except for transportation. This move has sparked significant concern from the European brominated flame retardant industry committee (EBFRIP), which is urging the European Union and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to take immediate action to prevent what it sees as an unjustified unilateral measure by Norway.
The EU has conducted extensive research over the past decade, reviewing 588 studies on the environmental and health impacts of Deca-BDE. In October 2005, the European Commission concluded that Deca-BDE did not pose a significant risk to human health or the environment. Despite this, Norway, which is not part of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement, chose to proceed with its own restrictions. This decision faced strong opposition from both the EU and industry stakeholders, but Norway proceeded with the ban regardless.
Veronique Steukers, chair of EBFRIP, stated that companies strongly oppose the unilateral action and are calling on the European Commission, EFTA, and WTO to intervene. She emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to avoid fragmentation in chemical regulations across Europe.
China plays a key role in the global production of brominated flame retardants. In 2006, the country produced nearly 200,000 tons of these chemicals, including about 100,000 tons of tetrabromobisphenol A and 40,000 tons of Deca-BDE. The industry’s total output value exceeded 500 million yuan. To align with international standards, China introduced several regulations in 2007, including the "Measures for the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products" (China RoHS), the GB20286-2006 standard for flame-retardant products in public places, and new labeling rules for flame retardants.
These stringent regulations are expected to boost the domestic flame retardant industry, increasing both production volume and product quality. However, Chinese companies still lag behind their international counterparts in terms of awareness and preparedness for environmental policies. While some firms are exploring alternatives and monitoring policy trends, many remain reactive rather than proactive.
Leading multinational companies have set a good example by engaging early with regulatory bodies and shaping policies through collaboration. They also focus on long-term sustainability, investing in R&D to improve the performance and environmental compatibility of their products. For China's industry to thrive, it must follow suit—investing in innovation, enhancing product value, and developing eco-friendly flame retardants that meet evolving global standards.
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