Background
Halogenated flame retardants have been successfully used in electronics and plastics for many years to reduce fire-related incidents. However, these chemicals are toxic and can pose a serious environmental hazard because they do not break down over time and are toxic to humans and wildlife.
Improper Disposal
The UN’s latest ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2020’ report revealed that in 2019 the world generated 53.6Mt of e-waste and that the way in which we produce, consume and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable, making it even more important that halogenated chemicals are removed.
In addition to this, electronic components and assemblies which contain halogenated chemicals are harder and more expensive to recycle because of these hazardous chemicals. Often these components are disposed of illegally or recyclers unwittingly burn the chemicals at high temperatures releasing them into the environment. According to BSEF, around half of all WEEE plastics generated in Europe do not enter official WEEE collection channels ending up in the waste bin, processed at substandard recycling facilities, or exported outside Europe.
BFR Regulation / Legislation & Technological Advancements
In electronic products, the most common type of halogenated flame retardants are brominated flame retardants or BFRs typically used in safety-critical components like PCBs and plastic cases. Over recent years, the use of BFRs in Europe has dropped significantly due to new regulations and legislation concerning the use of hazardous chemicals in electronics such as RoHS and REACH or through the Stockholm Convention.
Also, technological advances have also helped reduce BFR usage as there are viable and cost-effective non-halogenated alternatives that meet all the same safety standards. As a result, many new components and plastics are now either halogen free or contain a very low percentage.
International standards which are aimed specifically at reducing or eliminating halogens in electronic components and products include:
- IEC 61249-2-45 for PCB materials
- JEDEC JS709C Low Halogen Definition for electronic components
- UL74H halogen free standard for plastic resins
- ETSI TS 102 874-5 Eco-design requirements for External Common Power Supply
Some materials still persist in using BFRs mainly due to their low cost. A common material is PVC which is widely used as the insulating jacket on the DC output cables. However, there are now halogen free alternative materials available to replace PVC such as TPE which we have used on a number of products.
Conclusion
Operators and CPE manufacturers will want to understand the path towards low halogen or halogen free (HF) PSU product offerings, the key differences and the benefits of implementation. Whilst there is no mandatory regulation in place just yet, the banning of halogenated flame retardants is inevitable as the industry works towards minimizing toxic e-waste and enabling a more circular economy.
At NetBit, we can work with customers to define the requirements for a low halogen or halogen free product and the associated options. Finding suitable HF materials will be a vital step of the design optimization process which is a key part of our overall eco-design strategy looking at the total lifecycle of the product.
To find out more about our eco-innovations and efforts, contact sales@netbit.com or visit our dedicated web page here.
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