Emissions of brominated flame retardant fall
The textiles industry in the UK has reduced its emissions of Deca-BDE(1) into water by 97percent as a result of using a voluntary emissions control programme.
The findings were published in the 2007 annual report of the Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme (VECAP), which is a major Responsible Care commitment from manufacturers of brominated flame retardants and their customers.
VECAP uses the principle of continuous improvement to minimise emissions of BFRs into the environment. The annual report aims to give transparent and concise information on the programme’s progress – and incorporates feedback and comments from regulators, industry and the public.
VECAP, a global initiative, started among Deca-BDE user companies from the UK textile additives industry. Within 12 months, VECAP had resulted in a 75percent reduction of Deca-BDE emissions into water.
The annual report reveals that, in the six EU member states, 97percent of Deca-BDE used in the EU textiles industry and 82percent of Deca-BDE used in the EU plastics industry are now covered by detailed emissions surveys using the VECAP protocol.
The programme was set up in 2004 by the manufacturers of Deca-BDE in partnership with user companies in the supply chain, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.
1 Deca-BDE: No other flame retardant has been as exhaustively evaluated as Deca-BDE – from initial production through recycling at the end of consumer product life.
For more information, visit www.bsef.com
