Toxic substances list: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Related information
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that have the molecular formula C12H(10-n)BrnO in which 4 ≤ n ≤ 10 are a class of substances used as flame retardants in a wide variety of products. Brominated flame retardants are organic compounds that differ in the number of bromine atoms that slow the ignition and spread of fire.
PBDEs have generally been sold in three commercial mixtures that each contain different amounts of the seven PBDE congener groups.
PBDEs are not manufactured in Canada but have been used in commercial applications and products available to consumers, such as residential upholstered furniture foam, automotive parts, aerospace parts, appliances, electrical and electronic equipment and building materials. Other uses identified for PBDEs included textiles, adhesives and sealants, rubber products and coatings. DecaBDE is still used within certain manufactured items such as automotive parts and pallets used for the transportation of goods. Any of the seven PBDE congener groups may also be present within manufactured items made from recycled plastics containing PBDEs, such as pens, shredders, staplers, and wire spool. Releases of PBDEs to the environment can occur during manufacturing and processing operations, throughout the service life of articles containing PBDEs, and when articles that contain PBDEs are disposed.
For more information on these substances, please visit the Chemical Substances website and the Chemicals at a glance information sheet for PBDEs.
Risk assessment
- CEPA Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances – This group of substances has been added to the List of Toxic Substances (item 83). These substances are entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
- Virtual elimination of the substance (Track 1) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy
- Human Health State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE) (December 2012)
- State of the Science Report on the Bioaccumulation and Transformation of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (Final version) (August 2010)
- Final Order Adding PBDEs that have the molecular formula C12H(10-n)BrnO in which 4 ≤ n ≤ 10 to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (PDF 2.2MB, page 5) (December 2006)
- Health Canada Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (December 2006)
- Ecological Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (June 2006)
Risk management strategy
Strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substances:
- Risk management strategy for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (final revised) (August 2010)
Risk management strategy
Evaluation of Canada’s efforts to manage risks to the environment and human health caused by the substances:
Risk management tools
Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substances:
- Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022 [proposed] (May 2022)
- Proposed Order Amending Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Export Control List) (May 2022)
- Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012
- Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (for the addition of 5 substances) (December 2016)
- Risk management of decaBDE: voluntary phase-out exports to Canada (2010)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations [Repealed] (July 2008)
International engagement
For information on Canada's international engagement on these substances, please visit:
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
- Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA)
- Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Protocol to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP))
- Arctic Contaminants Action Program Working Group (ACAP)
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Working Group (AMAP)
Consultations
Consultations (past and present) on the substances:
- Proposed Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022 (May 2022)
- Proposed Order Amending Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (May 2022)
- Consultation document on proposed amendments to Schedule 3 (Export Control List) to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (March 2020)
- Consultation document on proposed amendments to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 for PFOS, PFOA, LC-PFCAs, HBCD, PBDEs, DP and DBDPE (December 2018)
- Notice of intent to amend the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 published in Canada Gazette, Part I (October 2018)
- Response to comments on the proposed Regulations Amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulation, 2012 (October 2016)
- Response to comments on the Consultation Document on the Proposed Risk Management Measure for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (April 2015)
- Consultation Document on the Proposed Risk Management Instrument for Products Containing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (September 2013)
- Update to Canada's National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (April 2013)
- Consultation Document on the Proposed Risk Management Measure for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (February 2013)
- Reply to Comments Received on the Government of Canada's Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Draft Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE) (Bioaccumulation and Transformation) published March 2009 (August 2010)
- Summary of the Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (March 2009)
- Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (draft) (March 2009)
- Proposed Performance Agreement to Control, Monitor and Minimize the Release of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE) Commercial Mixture from Canadian Facilities where DecaBDE is Used or Handled (March 2009)
- State of the Science Report on the Bioaccumulation and Transformation of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (draft) (March 2009)
- Reply to Comments Received in Submissions on the Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations Published on December 16, 2006, in Part I of the Canada Gazette (July 2008)
- Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations (PDF 1.19 MB, page 73) (December 2006)
- Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (December 2006)
- Proposed Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (PDF 1.96 MB, page 103) (July 2006)
- Draft Environmental Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (February 2004)
Other Information
- Substance prohibition summary for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
- Summary of Risk Assessment and Management of Flame Retardant Substances Assessed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Health Canada Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Fact Sheet
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in the Canadian environment
- Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
Contact
Chemicals Management Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
E-mail: interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca
Substances Management Information Line:
Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
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