Alternatives

TBBPA is one of the most tested flame retardants whose health and environmental impacts have been studied in depth which is not possible for all the potential alternatives.

When discussing alternatives to TBBPA in printed circuit boards (PCBs), the reliability of the PCBs must be taken into consideration. The reliability of PCB’s with TBBPA has been demonstrated in 30 years of actual use. PCB’s containing other flame retardants have often not been subject to the same level of reliability testing, and likely do not have the same service life as those containing TBBPA.

TBBPA has been used for 30 years and its proven performance makes it a trusted and cost efficient basis for future innovative electronic products. Manufacturers know and can predict how this flame retardant will react to the PCB and the ABS plastic.

This is an important criterion for selecting flame retardants. A reduction in service life could have tremendous cost and negative environmental impact by producing electronic waste at a faster rate than it is currently generated.

Few of the commercially available alternatives to TBBPA have been through the same level of testing for their effects on human health and the environment. It should also be noted that some of the potential alternatives are themselves going through the EU REACH legislation, an assessment that will take a few years to be concluded.