Electronics goes halogen-free: international driving forces and the availability and potential of halogen-free alternatives

The electronics and electrical industry and their suppliers are facing an increasing need to find halogen-free alternatives to flame retardancy in their products due to legislative actions and market pressure. In order to support development of corporate actions, "The International project on Flame Retardancy in Electronics-Conceptual Study", has been carried out by IVF in co-operation with 12 major European and Japanese product manufacturers and material suppliers. The study was carried out from February 1997 till September 1999. The idea behind the conceptual approach was to gain a comprehensive view of state of the art of halogen-free alternatives and of mechanisms governing design for flame retardancy.