The European Commission has requested ECHA to prepare:
- an Annex XV REACH restriction dossier on non-polymeric additive aromatic brominated flame retardants (ABFRs); and
- an investigation report on organophosphorus flame retardants.
ECHA submitted an investigation report on ABFRs on 18 December 2024, concluding that their use in articles poses an environmental burden due to their PBT/vPvB properties. As safer alternatives are already available for many applications, the Commission considers a restriction necessary and expects the report by December 2026.
At the same time, several organophosphorus flame retardants which may be used as potential alternatives to ABFRs raise concerns for human health and the environment, particularly due to their higher tendency to leach from polymers. An investigation report on these substances has therefore been requested, with delivery expected by December 2027.