UK flame retardant scoping review

UK Government publishes risk screening assessment of 124 flame retardants identified as used in the UK, updating a previous screening from 2003 (Peter Fisk Associates) The new report covers 26 halogenated FRs, 34 organophosphorus FRs, 49 inorganic and 11 other FRs. The screening included a generic exposure assessment and is based mainly on REACH data and on environmental monitoring data from the UK (aquatic environment, sewage, drinking water, food air) and from literature, with some use of other sources or property prediction software for some data gaps. 54 of the 124 FRs considered had no identified environmental or health hazard, including brominated, organophosphorus and inorganic FRs. Local exposure risks were generally highest for FRs used in textile treatment. Some conclusions are surprising, for example the identification of “risk issues” and the indication that use as a flame retardant in the UK is suspected for substances widely used as fertilisers (ammonium sulphate, mono- and di-ammonium phosphate MAP and DAP). The report is presented as a first stage in assessing flame retardants to prioritise them for further investigation.
The report concludes the need to:

further information on market and use of FRs in the UK,
better analyse risks to the environment and to human health, by improving data (for PNECs and DNELs) and exposure scenarios,
improve understanding of specific properties and hazards, including properties of specific substances, FR breakdown products, soil/sediment ecotoxicity, fate of poorly-soluble FRs, endocrine disruption
improve monitoring of FRs in the environment in the UK,
work with industry on data and risk management,
coordinate with other regulators, researchers, monitoring data sources …

“Flame retardant scoping review”, UK Environment Agency, Chief Scientist’s Group report, June 2025, project ENV6005704R https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flame-retardant-scoping-review