BRUSSELS – After eight years of study, the European Commission has cleared Tetrabromobisphenol A for use without restriction in the EU. This marks the end of an official risk assessment of TBBPA, a brominated flame retardant used in more than 70% of PCBs.

The EU Risk Assessment evaluated TBBPA for potential risks to human health and the environment. The commission concluded no risk was identified for the reactive use of TBBPA such as in epoxy resins used in printed circuit boards.

In rendering its decision, the European Commission recommended certain areas for further study, although, based on information currently available, no risk was identified.

The TBBPA risk assessment publication can be found at: http://eurlex.

The TBBPA risk reduction strategy publication can be found at: http://eurlex. europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:158:0062:0064:EN:PDF