BACKGROUND AND EVOLUTION
In 2004, member companies of EFRA and the
Textile Finishers Association, with the support
of EU regulatory authorities, initiated a Code of
Good Practice requiring the UK textiles industry
to reduce potential emissions of the flame
retardant Deca-BDE. Over the years, this
voluntary initiative was extended to include
potential emissions of the two other main
flame retardants HBCD and TBBPA.
The programme now surveys potential
emissions to air, water and land across all three
product groups to ensure that all users have a
good understanding of chemicals management
throughout the supply chain and are adopting
and applying VECAP best practices.
VECAP GLOBALLY
The programme has now been adopted by
many users of flame retardants in Europe
and across the world. The users demonstrate
their commitment by completing the VECAP
questionnaire. They are provided with the Code
of Good Practice, Key Recommendations, as
well as Best Available Techniques (BAT) for
emptying packaging in several languages
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,
taking into account regional differences.
United States and Canada
A significant number of Deca-BDE, HBCD
and TBBPA users have committed to
implementing the VECAP programme
Asia Pacific Region
General commitment in the region to
implement VECAP for brominated flame
retardants
The programme is being actively promoted
by BSEF members in Japan, initially only
for HBCD and now also for other
brominated flame retardants
Individual company initiatives also cover
other countries such as China, South Korea
and Taiwan
The expansion of VECAP to other regions like
Eastern Europe demonstrates the willingness of
the flame retardant industry to actively participate
in the programme and take responsibility for
the environment.
More details on how the programme works
are available on page 15.
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VECAP website
http://www.vecap.info/publications-2/
INTRODUCTION TO VECAP
The Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2012
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