Limits on Key Hazardous Substances
Halogen-free controls: Mainstream halogen-free standards require chlorine and bromine contents to be ≤900 ppm each, with a combined total of ≤1500 ppm. This prevents the release of toxic, carcinogenic substances-such as hydrogen halides and dioxins-during combustion; this requirement is mandated for electrical and electronic products under the EU RoHS Directive.
Bans on specific toxic substances: Many countries worldwide have included substances such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) on lists of banned or restricted substances. Regulations such as the EU POPs Regulation and China's GB 26572-2025 standard explicitly restrict their use. Canada is also introducing new regulations in 2026 to restrict the production and import of Dechlorane Plus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), allowing only minute, unintentional trace impurities.
Control of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC): Flame retardants such as decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) have been included in the SVHC list under the EU REACH regulation. If the mass concentration of such substances in a product exceeds 0.1%, manufacturers must fulfill information disclosure obligations to downstream users in the supply chain.
Environmental Performance Requirements for the Product Itself
The flame retardant itself must meet low-toxicity or non-toxicity standards. For example, the mainstream phosphorus-nitrogen-based ammonium polyphosphate (APP) has an oral LD₅₀ >10 g/kg in rats, classifying it as practically non-toxic; during combustion, it releases only inert gases like ammonia, significantly reducing smoke toxicity.
It must exhibit low-smoke characteristics, avoiding the generation of large amounts of corrosive or irritating smoke during combustion. This prevents casualties caused by toxic smoke inhalation during fires and minimizes secondary corrosive damage to equipment and the environment.
It must possess environmentally friendly life-cycle attributes, being compatible with material recycling systems. It should not generate persistent or bioaccumulative toxic residues in the natural environment, thereby avoiding accumulation in the food chain that could harm human health.
