11/02/2009

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released two new certified reference materials (CRMs) to help analytical laboratories better detect two classes of flame retardants banned under the RoHS Directive. Polybrominated flame retardants are used in a wide variety of products to inhibit or resist the spread of fire, for example, paper, furniture upholstery and electrical and electronic devices.

These chemicals can bio-accumulate in blood, breast milk, and fat tissues, and they are reported to impair the development of the nervous system and cause hormonal imbalances. For this reason, the European Union decided to ban the use of two classes of flame retardants, namely polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in electric and electronic devices.

This ban was formalised in the RoHS Directive¹, and an upper limit of 1 g/kg for the sum of PBBs and PBDEs was set. Enforcement of the RoHS Directive requires accurate measurements. However, several intercomparisons at international level showed that the current quality of measurement results was often not sufficient to reliably enforce the 1 g/kg limit. JRC-IRMM therefore decided to produce two certified reference materials (CRMs) for the determination of PBDEs and PBBs in polymers. The two reference materials, ERM-EC590 and ERM-EC591, were custom made to contain all relevant PBDEs and PBBs at levels close to the legal limit. Certified values were assigned for 10 PBDEs and PBBs, and additional information for another 18 substances is provided. In addition, the total bromine content was certified, as the measurement of total bromine is often used as a screening method for brominated flame retardants.

The two materials are intended as quality control tools for analytical laboratories. Data obtained from measuring these CRMs can identify laboratories' shortcomings and generally lead to increased competence in measuring these flame retardants. Additionally, laboratories can use these materials to demonstrate the accuracy of their measurements, thus increasing the confidence in the results and contributing to an effective implementation of the RoHS directive.

The preparation of the reference materials and their characterisation are described in a comprehensive certification report, which is available together with the certificate (). The material can be ordered from the online catalogue.


1. RoHS Directive ( 2002/95/EC): Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.