If you use flame retardants on your products and want to export them to the EU, you have to make sure that your products do not contain more pentaBDE and octaBDE than allowed according to EU legislation. Pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) and octabromo-diphenyl ether (octaBDE) are two brominated flame retardants. PentaBDE is used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam for furniture and upholstery. OctaBDE is for example used in office equipment and electrical appliances.
Both pentaBDE and octaBDE pose a threat to human health and the environment. Therefore the EU has set restrictions on the use of PentaBDE and OctaBDE in products.
This document provides information on these restrictions, as well as references to other relevant issues.
Publication date: April, 2010
