EU Proposes Global Ban on TBPH Flame Retardant Under Stockholm Convention

The European Commission published a proposal on February 4, 2026, to add the brominated flame retardant TBPH (bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate) to the Stockholm Convention list of Persistent Organic Pollutants.

TBPH is a brominated flame retardant. The EU already classified it as a Substance of Very High Concern under REACH Article 57(e). This is because TBPH does not break down in the environment and builds up in living organisms. Scientific studies show that TBPH is also toxic and can travel long distances through air and water. It has been found in remote areas far from where it was used.

The EU will send the proposal to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat in April 2026. The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) will review it at their meeting in October 2026. The full review process takes at least three years. This means countries can make a final decision on banning TBPH at the Conference of the Parties meeting in 2029 or later.

At the same time, the Commission is asking ECHA to prepare a restriction under REACH for several brominated flame retardants, including TBPH. This means the EU and international restrictions will move forward together. This prevents a situation where TBPH is banned in the EU but still used in other countries. The proposal was open for public comments from June 18 to August 13, 2025. Comments from stakeholders are now included in the final scientific report. TBPH is not used in the EU today, but it is likely used outside the EU and may be present in imported products.