Issue 21/2013 - HBCD is listed as a persistent organic pollutant with provisional immunity

HBCD is classified as a persistent organic pollutant with provisional immunity

Recently, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of the United Nations Environment Programme adopted a resolution listing hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) as a persistent organic pollutant to be phased out, but it enjoys a certain period of exemption when used in expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene insulating foam in construction
.
The resolution was formally implemented
at the end of the Meeting of States Parties.

The resolution of the Parties states that HBCD has specific exemptions for use in construction foamed polystyrene and extruded polystyrene insulating foam as a substance for registration of specific exemptions
.
In addition, the resolution requires parties using the exemption to take the necessary measures to ensure that expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene containing HBCD can be identified
throughout their life cycle by labelling or other means.

The Bromine Environment and Science Forum is strongly supportive of this and says all its member companies will replace HBCD with other sustainable and environmentally friendly substances
.
(Wei Song)