New EU Limits on PBDEs Set to Reshape Chemicals and Recycling Sectors

New UTC Limits to Reduce Legacy Pollution Risks

PBDEs—used historically as flame retardants in electronics, textiles and foams—are persistent organic pollutants with known risks to human and environmental health. Despite phased-out production within the EU, they remain prevalent in recycled materials.

The revised rules lower the allowable sum concentration of PBDEs in such materials from 500 mg/kg to 350 mg/kg by 30 December 2025, and further to 200 mg/kg by 30 December 2027. For toys and childcare products made from recovered materials, a 10 mg/kg threshold will apply 18 months after the regulation enters into force.

Who’s Affected by the Updated PBDE Regulation?

The changes impact a wide spectrum of stakeholders. Recyclers and manufacturers using recovered plastics will need to ensure compliance through updated screening processes and material sourcing protocols. Consumer goods producers, particularly in the toy and childcare segments, face stricter controls on acceptable contaminant levels.

Regulators emphasised the balance between circular economy goals and chemical safety. The Commission cited multiple studies showing decaBDE’s presence in consumer goods derived from recycled plastics, underlining the urgency of new limits.

Monitoring and Enforcement Across the Value Chain

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remain standard methods for detecting PBDEs. The updated thresholds fall within the detection capacities of these techniques, reinforcing their role in compliance workflows.

While the regulation excludes food contact materials—already regulated under separate EU legislation—it places new responsibility on businesses to distinguish and verify material origins.