The International Bromine Council (BSEF) has issued a statement voicing its strong opposition to the “arbitrary and discriminatory” ban on halogenated flame retardants in the EU’s Ecodesign requirements for electronic displays. This includes televisions, monitors and digital signage.

To take effect from Mar. 1, 2021, the regulation, which BSEF calls “unjustified, discriminatory and procedurally flawed,” will prohibit the use of halogenated flame retardants in the enclosures and stands of electronic displays, with TVs and monitor display enclosures expected to be impacted the most.

The Council’s major concern is that the Ecodesign Directive is being used as a vehicle to bypass the EU’s “well-established legislative provisions restricting the use of chemicals in articles, electrical and electronic equipment,” such as REACH and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.

“Assuming the power to restrict substances under the Ecodesign Directive risks creating legal uncertainty in the market and goes against the Commission's own Better Regulation principles,” BSEF said.

It also argued that the ban was not formally notified to the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade, which would have given third countries and their manufacturers an opportunity to comment. Instead, according to BSEF, the ban was inserted after the formal notification period had closed, disenfranchising WTO members of their right to comment.

However, a coalition of European NGOs going by the name of Cool Products for a Cool Planet said the EU’s move represents “major progress” in view of the hazardousness of these substances that present danger during use and hamper cost-effective recycling.

“We can only hope that the ban on halogenated flame retardants will now be replicated for other relevant product categories containing plastics, such as computers and electronics, vacuum cleaners and other small appliances. This will help further deliver on recycling targets and bring about obvious health benefits,” the NGO stated.

BSEF said it will assess its options together with its members “through all available channels.”