BRUSSELS – The European Commission published the final report on the study to support the review of the list of restricted substances and to assess a new exemption request under RoHS 2 on Feb. 11. The report includes assessment of seven substances, including Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), for possible restriction.

BSEF, the International Bromine Council, notes the recommendation of “no restriction” on reactive uses of TBBPA (for example, in printed circuit wiring boards), which reflects the low risk of this application in terms of exposure and end-of-life treatment under controlled conditions.

“The study authors did not follow their updated methodology, which states publicly available data should be used for a substance when it’s available,” said Kevin Bradley, Ph.D., secretary general of BSEF. “We believe available data in the TBBPA REACH dossier leads to a different conclusion: no significant risk under current use conditions.”

The report recognizes the need to wait for the finalization of the REACH evaluation of TBBPA. This is due sometime in 2021. The report also highlights the difficulty in substituting TBBPA in both its reactive and additive applications.

“The report bears out what we have also seen in a recent study on the impact of BFRs on WEEE plastics recycling by consultants SOFIES.”

The SOFIES report noted the potential for regrettable substitution and impacts on WEEE plastics recycling with other flame retardants.

BSEF welcomes the disclaimer issued by the European Commission concerning the report and its findings concerning substances proposed for restriction.

“It is very helpful to have this disclaimer in place given the serious concerns that we and other stakeholders have over the way the Oeko Institut executed the studies,” Bradley said.

PCB EAST: The original East Coast technical conference and exhibition! Returning to the Boston suburbs in June 2021!