In line with Dell's Chemical Use Policy, the Precautionary Principle and with consideration for Chemicals for Priority Action identified by the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the NE Atlantic (OSPAR), Dell's goal is to eliminate the use of all brominated flame retardant chemicals in our products, worldwide.
Brominated flame retardants are covered in Dell's banned and restricted material program. For more information see Dell's Supply Chain Management and Compliance Process.
We currently avoid the use of BFRs by using plastics that can be flame retarded with non-halogenated compounds and by using design strategies that reduce the need to use flame retarded plastics at all.
BFR restrictions
- Dell currently prohibits the use of PBBs and PDBEs (including DecaBDE) for all applications.
- Dell currently prohibits the use of all other BFRs (including TBBP-A and HBCD) in plastic parts for desktops, laptop and server products as well as TCO certified displays and Blue Angel certified printers.
- For all Dell products developed after June 2006, Dell will prohibit the use of all BFRs in plastic parts*.
- Flame-retarded plastics are occasionally needed to meet strict fire safety codes.
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Long Term Elimination Goal
Through industry partnerships, Dell is actively working to help establish supply chain capability and capacity of viable alternative materials needed to realize our goal to eliminate all remaining uses of brominated flame retardants in our new products, including TBBP-A in circuit boards, by 2009, as acceptable alternatives are identified that will not compromise product performance and will lower product health and environmental impacts. Dell will continue to strive to meet our public goals to eliminate the use of environmentally sensitive materials in our products, as well as continue to evaluate the viability of halogen-free flame retardant alternatives.
Progress Towards Long Term Goals
- Conducted approximately 300 Tier I/Tier II supplier surveys regarding halogen-free technology and readiness. This survey was followed by a series of halogen-free supplier summits in Taiwan, China and Singapore in May 2007.
- Implemented new halogen-free scoring criteria into quarterly business reviews with suppliers. Suppliers risk having their overall scores reduced during Dell quarterly business reviews for not offering halogen-free products as early as 2008. A supplier’s volume of Dell business can be affected by the scores earned on reviews. Dell works with suppliers on halogen-free strategies once their roadmap data is collected.
- Launched 1320c Laser Printer featuring multiple printed circuit boards containing “halogen-free” laminates (per JPCA ES-01-1999).
- In October 2007, Dell sponsored a halogen-free electronics session at the IMPACT technology conference (in Taipei), bringing together key industry representatives such as Intel, AMD, Compal and ITRI to discuss halogen-free technology roadmaps and encourage broader industry engagement to develop viable halogen-free solutions. Approximately 90 participants attended. More information can be found on the IMPACT homepage: http://impact.itri.org.tw/2007/General/
- In January 2008, Dell will partner with IPC and Intel to participate in a halogen-free symposium. Dell will present its’ perspectives on halogen-free electronics, as well as provide an update on the HDPUG halogen-free project that is chaired by Dell. For more information, please see the IPC homepage: http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?PageID=6.3.32.1
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Engagement in Global Standards
In 2006, Dell established an internal Halogen-Free Team to better understand supply chain readiness for halogen-free electronics, develop halogen-free technology roadmaps and qualify suitable halogen-free replacement materials. The following key milestones have been met by this team to-date:
Where viable alternatives do not yet exist, Dell is working with its industry partners to promote the development of standards and reliable, environmentally sound and economically scalable technical solutions.
EPA Project:
Dell is actively engaged in the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) Flame Retardants in Printed Circuit Boards project. This project is focused on identification of the flame retardants used by laminate manufacturers to better understand the environmental and human health impacts of new and current materials that can be used to meet the fire safety requirements for circuit boards.
EPA homepage: http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/pcb/index.htm
HDPUG Halogen-free Projects:
Since 2001, the High-Density Packaging User Group (HDPUG) has been at the forefront of evaluating halogen-free materials within the electronics industry. Dell is currently leading the Halogen-Free Properties project in HDPUG aimed at developing a comprehensive Halogen-Free Guideline and Halogen-free Materials Database. The Halogen-free Materials Database will serve as a centralized database allowing suppliers to list their halogen-free product offerings and the properties of those offerings in a uniform, concise format that is easily accessible to product designers. Increased access to this information will enhance supply chain adoption of halogen-free components.
IEC
Dell participates in the IEC to develop international environmental standards in the areas of supply-chain material declaration, RoHS analytical test standards, and environmentally conscious design. Dell chairs Working Group 3 that is developing an international testing standard for substances restricted in electronic products by the RoHS Directive. As similar legislation emerges worldwide, this standard can be used to harmonize compliance assurance activities.
Joint Industry Guide (JIG)
Since 2001, Dell has been involved in developing the Joint Industry Guide on Material Composition Declaration for Electronic Products (JIG-101) as a member of the EIA Material Declaration Steering Committee. In April 2005, JIG-101 was published as a joint standard of the EIA, JGPSSI, and JEDEC organizations. This standard will be further developed through the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to harmonize material declaration requirements to a greater extent within the electronics industry. Dell's restricted materials compliance verification approach is closely aligned with the JIG.
Dell's BFR Position 
Chemical Use Policy 
