HP has today unveiled proposals to make its IT kit more environmentally friendly by the start of 2007, banning the toxic brominated flame retardant (BFR) Tetrabromobisphenol A.

The firm claimed that it eliminated more than 95 per cent of the BFRs used in the external case parts of its products more than 10 years ago, including PBDE and PBB which were subsequently among the substances covered by the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

During the same timeframe, the company pointed out that it also eliminated polyvinyl chloride from the external case parts of its products.

According to HP, the banning of Tetrabromobisphenol A is just one element of its Design for Environment initiative, which has resulted in the firm banning the use of mercury in most of its all-in-one products by replacing mercury-containing scanner lamps with a new contact imaging technology lamp.

HP added that it plans to eliminate the remaining use of BFRs and PVCs in its products "as acceptable alternatives are identified that will not compromise product performance or present health and environmental risks".

The company also vowed to eliminate lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, as defined in the RoHS directive, in 50 per cent of its electronic products sold worldwide six months ahead of the July 2006 deadline.

"We are committed to reducing our own environmental impact, as well as that of our customers, partners and suppliers," said David Lear, vice president for corporate, social and environmental responsibility at HP.

"Our Design for Environment initiative is in place and our customers demand it. In fact, in 2004 we received several billion dollars worth of requests for proposals that required information on HP's commitment to social and environmental responsibility."