BELGIUM - TBBPA, a brominated flame retardant used in the manufacture of PCBs has been cleared for use by the European Union.

After an 8-year EU Risk Assessment, the EU Member State experts have concluded that TBBPA presents no risk to human health. In addition the conclusion cited there was no risk to the environment when TBBPA is used in the PCB laminate process.  

TBBPA is added to epoxy resin, and after curing is not longer reactive but instead forms part of the polymeric backbone of the resin. TBBPA is used in more than 95% of FR-4 and CM-3 PCB materials and is also used in ABS plastics.