BANNOCKBURN, IL — IPC is taking issue with the inclusion of the flame retardant chemical known as Tetrabromobisphenol A on a draft list of substances that could be added to the EU RoHS Directive, firing off a letter requesting the EU commissioners "reconsider" its potential ban.

The trade group had previously made its case to the Öko-Institut, which was charged with drafting the list.

TBBPA, a a reactive flame retardant used in most printed circuit board laminates, has been reported to be included among five substances for priority assessment and potential inclusion in RoHS by media who claimed to have seen the proposal. It is reportedly used in more than two-thirds of electrical and electronics appliances.

Citing the strong body of technical evidence, IPC claims TBBPA is not a risk and should not be included in future RoHS documents. "TBBPA has already undergone a comprehensive EU Risk Assessment and, therefore, is not expected to be subject to authorization under REACH,” IPC said in the letter. "The recommendation for priority review of TBBPA under RoHS seemingly undermines the EU’s emerging chemicals policy and law under REACH.  We urge the commission to reconsider the inclusion of TBBPA in its list of ‘priority review’ substances under RoHS.”

Following interagency review of the proposal, the EU Commission will present the proposed RoHS Revision to the European Parliament.

To see the IPC letter, click here.