The European regulatory strategy for flame retardants – The right direction but still a risk of getting lost

Jacob de Boer*, Stuart Harrad, Martin Sharkey

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Flame retardants (FRs) are a major group of chemicals used to protect against fast developing fires and comply with fire regulations. Many of them have a negative impact on the environment and human health. Some have been phased out, but the vast majority remain on the market including a substantial number of harmful ones. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) presented a strategy to phase out harmful flame retardants, based on a group approach. While this approach will help to finally overcome the loop of banning individual chemicals, which are then replaced by similar ones, which need to be banned again, the proposed strategy also contains several flaws, which may inadvertently weaken the strategy. A stronger grouping system is discussed and proposed, in which additional criteria for the evaluation of FRs as groups are included, e.g., more attention for toxic effects, mobility, recyclability and waste production. This discussion paper is intended to contribute to a sustainable approach as proposed in the European Chemicals Sustainability Strategy. It should also help create a truly circular economy.
Original languageEnglish
Article number140638
Number of pages8
JournalChemosphere
Volume347
Early online date17 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgment:
This paper has been written with financial contribution to JdB from ROCKWOOL.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The European regulatory strategy for flame retardants – The right direction but still a risk of getting lost'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this