Home > contact and service > Technical Papers > 2016-11 | HBCD

Insulating materials made of polystyrene (Styropor) with more than 1000 ppm HBCD have been considered hazardous waste in Germany since 30.9.2016 according to the POP Ordinance andthe Waste Catalogue Ordinance, AVV (in German)

Hexabromocyclododecane, C12H18Br6What are HBCD

HBCD, or HBCDD (Hexabromocyclododecane, C12H18Br6) is a flame retardant which, in addition to textiles and upholstered furniture, was mainly used in thermal insulation materials such as extruded (XPS) or expanded polystyrene rigid foams (EPS).

Environmental Harmfulness of HBCD

HBCD is harmful to the environment because it is long-lived (persistent), accumulates in organisms (bioaccumulative) and is toxic to reproduction. It is a persistent organic pollutant (POP).

Due to these properties, the EU already included HBCD in the list of substances of very high concern in 2008. For these substances, the EU Chemicals Regulation REACH requires an authorisation requirement. In 2013, the substance was also classified worldwide as a long-lived organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention. Since November 2014, there has been a worldwide ban on production and use of the substance.

Classification of HBCD under waste law

According to Article 7 (2) of the POP Regulation ((EC) No 850/2004), waste containing persistent organic pollutants ("POPs") must be recovered or disposed of "in such a way that the persistent organic pollutants contained therein are destroyed or irreversibly transformed".

Insulating materials are considered "POP-containing" if their POP content is greater than or equal to a certain limit value concentration in Annex IV of the POP Ordinance or the German Ordinance on the European Waste Catalogue (Waste Catalogue Ordinance - AVV). The limit value of 1000 mg/kg set for HBCD became legally effective on 30 September 2016.

Consequences

Old polystyrene insulating materials typically show contents between 0.7% and 1.5% HBCD and are thus well above the limit value of 1000 ppm (0.1%).

Since 30 September 2016, they have been regarded as hazardous and subject to proof and may only be treated in waste incineration plants that have the corresponding approval.

According to the Waste Catalogue Ordinance, insulation waste containing HBCD will therefore be assigned the waste code number "17 06 03* other insulation material consisting of or containing hazardous substances" from 30 September 2016.

Federal Environment AgencyTesting of insulating materials for HBCD

On its pages (4), the Federal Environment Agency describes a rapid test based on X-ray fluorescence analysis developed by theFraunhofer Institute IVV and BASF SE.

In this test, HBCD is extracted from the insulating material with an organic solvent and its content in the solution/insulating material is determined with high precision using a handheld XRF.

Further information on this topic

Asbestos Analysis0

Reliable analysis of asbestos with SEM/EDXORDER NOW!

Order inquiry & contact

  • Tel.: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0
  • fax: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-260

News

Apr 17, 2024

Hazardous particulate matter: Australia bans quartz composite countertops

From July 2024, the production, processing, delivery, and installation of quartz composite (also known as stone composite) is prohibited in Australia — a material that is also often used in this country to produce kitchen plates. With this decision, the labor ministers of the Australian states followed a recommendation from the National Occupational Health and Safety Agency. ... read more

Apr 9, 2024

VDU training “Sampling of drinking and bathing pool water” in Hanover

On April 23, 2024, the VDU office in Hanover will offer basic and refresher training on “sampling drinking and bathing pool water.” As a member of the Association of German Investigation Laboratories e.V. (vdu), we would like to draw your attention to this interesting event. ... read more

Mar 13, 2024

Follow-up report: DCONex 2024

In January 2024, the building pollutant experts met again at DCONex. The CRB team was also back at the trade congress and exhibition. This time not only with its own stand but also on stage: Our colleague Dr. Gunnar Ries moderated the lecture block "Current issues in asbestos analysis" and in this session, our laboratory manager Dr. Stefan Pierdzig gave a lecture on the basics of asbestos analysis. ... read more