EBFRIP to be dissolved, EFRA to subsume

Citation

(2011), "EBFRIP to be dissolved, EFRA to subsume", Circuit World, Vol. 37 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2011.21737caa.003

EBFRIP to be dissolved, EFRA to subsume

Article Type: Industry news From: Circuit World, Volume 37, Issue 3

Albemarle, Chemtura and ICL – IP have decided to dissolve European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel (EBFRIP)[1] and to integrate – as of the first quarter of 2011 – the industry’s advocacy activities into the European Flame Retardant Association (EFRA), which represents all flame retardant technologies currently in use. Following a thorough review, this sector group of Cefic is well placed to seize upcoming opportunities and address current and future challenges.

As technology continues to develop and surround us in our daily life (at home, in the work place and in transport), fire safety requirements cannot be taken for granted. Flame retardants are used to inhibit the spread of fires or delay the time of flashover. It is estimated that escape times can be up to ten times longer (from 2 to 20 min) when flame retardants are present, providing a better opportunity for survival and for fire brigades to intervene. Like most substances, flame retardants undergo rigorous testing before reaching the European market. Many high-volume flame retardants have been through a risk assessment either at national or EU level.

EFRA brings together the leading organizations which manufacture, market or use flame retardants in Europe: Albemarle, BASF, Chemtura, ICL-IP, The International Antimony Association (i2a), PCC Rokita, SABIC, Schill & Seilacher and The German Textiles Association (Tegewa).

EFRA seeks to align itself with the entire value chain of the industry it serves through four application forums on electrical and electronic equipment, transportation, construction and upholstered furniture. The forums are key in allowing EFRA to establish relationships with its different stakeholders, to strengthen the dialogue with decision makers at EU, Member States and international level and to develop specific pro-active programmes supported by sound science. In addition, the Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme[2], formerly an EBFRIP initiative which evidences industry’s commitment to an advanced product stewardship programme, is now carried out under EFRA. Improving the understanding of flame retardants and fire safety in specific applications, as well as developing a valuable source of information relevant to these applications, are essential components of the future activities of EFRA.

For further information, please contact: Philippe Salemis, Director Flame Retardants, EFRA c/o Cefic, e-mail: psa@cefic.be, web site: www.flameretardants.eu