Dangerous substances: marketing and use of pentaBDE in polyurethane foam (24th amend. Directive 76/769/EEC)

PURPOSE : to establish uniform rules on Pentabromodiphenyl ether to preserve the Internal Market. CONTENT : Pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) is a brominated flame retardant almost exclusively used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam for furniture and upholstery. It belongs to a group of ten substances, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The risks to the environment of PentaBDE have been assessed under Council Regulation 793/93/EEC on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances. The risk assessment identified a need for reducing risks of pentaBDE to the environment from production and use of polyurethane foam containing pentaBDE. In its opinion of 4 February 2000, the Scientific Committee on toxicity, ecotoxicity and the environment (CSTEE) confirmed the conclusions of the assessment of pentaBDE on the need to reduce risks to protect the environment. On the basis of the risk assessment and recommended risk reduction strategy in the framework Regulation 739/93/EEC and taking account of the Precautionary Principle, the Commission proposes to restrict the marketing and use of pentaBDE and of articles containing pentaBDE. The proposed 24th amendment establishes uniform rules on pentaBDE to preserve the Internal Market. It also guarantees a high level of protection of health and the environment. �