Tech firms pursue EU action over hazardous materials

Sony Ericsson, HP, Dell and Acer are asking for tougher EU environmental laws

Some of the biggest names in the computing industry have asked the European Union to step up its regulation of hazardous materials in electronic devices.

A group including Sony Ericsson, Dell, HP and Acer is pushing the EU to expand restrictions on potentially toxic materials sometimes used in the construction of electronic components.

Specifically, the group is seeking an expansion of restrictions on brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and PVC. Both materials can produce toxic byproducts if incinerated improperly.

"We believe the electronics industry has a responsibility to move proactively to find substitutes to replace BFRs and PVC, and are therefore calling on EU legislators to show leadership on this issue by voting to tighten the [Restrictions on Hazardous Substances] directive," said Sony Ericsson environmental expert Daniel Paska.

The removal of BFRs and PVC from consumer electronics has played a major role in efforts to make the electronics industry more environmentally friendly.

Greenpeace considers company policies on both substances when constructing its green electronics index, and many companies have introduced environmental policies that call for the elimination of both substances in construction and manufacturing processes.