Directive Decoder

Currently the EU regulations that restrict certain halogenated flame retardants are RoHS and REACH.

RoHS currently restricts PBB and PBDE with no exemptions. The proposed recast will not include restrictions on any other halogenated flame retardants but will introduce a comitology procedure (i.e. carried out by the EC) for restricting additional substances which will include these types of compounds and, as a result, HBCDD is likely to be considered at an early stage. The procedure is likely to be risk based and similar to the restrictions procedure used by REACH, but will have an emphasis on risks at the end of life phase. The EP proposal to include all halogenated flame retardants in Annex III of the recast appears to have been dropped as Annex III will probably not be included. Member States will however propose specific substances for restriction by RoHS once the comitology procedure is in place.