SUBSTITUTION IN PRACTICE -THE INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Apple does not use brominated flame retardants in the enclosure plastics of its products and is actively seeking alternatives to brominated flame retardants in circuit boards. 

Some manufacturers use internal metal shields to protect computer housings from internal sparks and heat, and can therefore use non-flame retarded plastics. 

Electrolux is the world s largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoors. They have created comprehensive Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for many of their product lines. Information within the product profiles details chemicals that have been banned as well as the percentage and types of materials and how they have improved material choices. Forexample, plastic components do not contain cadmium, lead, mercury or their compounds or chlorinated or brominated flame retardants metal components are not coated with cadmium, chromium, or nickel and metal paints do not contain pigments and additives based on heavy metals. Many Electrolux products are also PVC-free. 

Until recently, halogen-free products were only available in Europe, but Sony has now adopted global design specifications to ensure that all their projects meet the same standards. Sony aims to have all product lines free of brominated flame retardants by the end of 2005 if substitutes are found to be safer. They also aim to phase out all uses of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by 2005 as well as lead solder, and specified heavy metals. For example, a Walkman model has PVC-free cables and no brominated flame retardants or lead solder in the printed circuit board. 

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