Following negotiations with the US Environmental Protection Agency, three companies have agreed to phase out production and sale of the brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) for most uses within three years. DecaBDE has been used extensively in electronics products, notably ABS/HIPS display housings and in casings. It is not used in circuit boards themselves.

The flame retardants industry has fought hard against EU legislation on hazardous materials in electronics. Debates over an initial RoHS Directive exemption for decaDBE went all the way to the European Court of Justice. Indeed the industry is still insistent that numerous studies show the product to be safe and effective.

However, under pressure from the EPA concerns, Albemarle and Chemtura, which produce decaBDE in the U.S., and Israel's ICL Industrial Products (IP), the largest U.S. importer of the chemical, say they will end sales for all remaining "essential uses" by the end of 2013.

Some alternatives do exist, including Albermarle's own GreenArmor product. Industry leaders such as Electrolux and Nokia have been pushing for halogen-free products for some years, especially in Japan. There are also very large collaborative projects underway to screen halogen-free firee retardant alternatives in electronics products.