HBCD Diagnosis in Switzerland

What is HBCD and why is it found in insulation?

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant that was incorporated as an additive in expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation materials for several decades. Its role was to improve the fire resistance of these thermal insulation materials, thereby meeting building fire safety requirements.

HBCD was used on a massive scale from the 1960s, and its use continued until approximately 2015, when manufacturers had to reformulate their products following the decision to list HBCD among the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention. This transition means that polystyrene insulation manufactured before 2015 is very likely to contain HBCD, while insulation produced after that date uses alternative flame retardants.

Where is HBCD found in buildings?

HBCD is present in polystyrene insulation, which is found in many building applications:

• External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS): external insulation systems, widely used since the 1980s for energy renovation of facades, primarily use expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels bonded to the facade and covered with a render. All ETICS systems installed before 2015 with EPS most likely contain HBCD.
• Flat roofs and inverted roofs: roof terraces frequently use extruded polystyrene (XPS) as an insulation layer, placed under or over the waterproofing membrane. Insulation installed before 2015 is affected.
• Ground-bearing floors and slabs over basements: polystyrene insulating underlays for floors, particularly in floating slab constructions, may contain HBCD.
• Roller shutter boxes: prefabricated roller shutter casings often incorporate EPS as insulation. These elements, common in window renovations from the 1990s–2010s, may contain HBCD.
• Roof space insulation: certain insulation panels for pitched roofs or converted loft spaces use polystyrene.
• Internal wall lining insulation: composite panels combining polystyrene and plasterboard (thermal-acoustic lining) may contain HBCD in their insulating layer.

Why is HBCD regulated?

HBCD presents three characteristics that led to its classification as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) by the Stockholm Convention, and to its progressive prohibition:

• Environmental persistence: HBCD degrades very slowly in soils and aquatic environments. Once released into the environment — through incineration of unsuitable waste, landfill or degradation of materials — it can persist for decades.
• Bioaccumulation: HBCD has a high affinity for fats and accumulates in living organisms through the food chain. Significant concentrations have been measured in marine organisms, predators and humans.
• Toxicity: HBCD presents endocrine toxicity (hormonal disruptor), neurotoxicity (effects on neurological development during in utero or neonatal exposure), and reproductive effects documented in animal studies. Its long-term effects on human health are a concern.

The Stockholm Convention, ratified by Switzerland, requires the elimination of HBCD use and appropriate management of waste containing this substance. In Switzerland, the obligations arising from this convention are integrated into the ORRChim and waste legislation.

The Swiss regulatory framework

• The ORRChim (Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks from Chemical Products, RS 814.81) integrates the commitments of the Stockholm Convention. It regulates the use of POPs, including HBCD, and imposes specific requirements for their management during disposal.
• Waste legislation (LPE and OLED) sets the HBCD content threshold above which insulation waste must be treated as special waste: this threshold is generally set at 1,000 mg/kg (1 g/kg). Insulation exceeding this threshold cannot be deposited in ordinary landfill or recycled through conventional channels — it must be incinerated in installations specially authorised for special waste.
• The Ordinance on Construction Work (OTConst) also applies: before any construction site involving the removal or cutting of polystyrene insulation on a building constructed or renovated before 2016, it is recommended to verify the presence of HBCD to allow adequate waste management.

How to identify the presence of HBCD?

The presence of HBCD in polystyrene insulation absolutely cannot be determined visually. EPS or XPS panels containing HBCD are identical in appearance to those that do not contain it. The colour (white, grey, blue depending on the brand and type) is not an indicator of the presence or absence of HBCD.

The only reliable method is laboratory analysis:

• Sample collection: a small fragment of insulation is taken from the material to be analysed. Sampling protocols are simple and minimally invasive.
• Mass spectrometry analysis: the sample is analysed in a SAS-accredited laboratory by mass spectrometry or by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This method allows the HBCD content to be quantified precisely.
• Comparison with the regulatory threshold: the result is compared against the 1,000 mg/kg threshold to determine whether the material must be treated as special waste during its disposal.

How an HBCD diagnosis works

• Identification of materials to verify: the diagnostician or the client identifies the zones of the building where polystyrene insulation is present, particularly as part of the preparation for an energy renovation project, roof terrace replacement or facade renovation.
• Verification of the installation period: if the installation date of the insulation is known and documented, and if it is after 2016, it is very likely that the insulation does not contain HBCD. In case of doubt or in the absence of documentation, analysis is recommended.
• Sampling and analyses: insulation fragments are taken at representative locations and transmitted to the laboratory for analysis.
• Results and decision: depending on the results, insulation waste generated during works will be treated as ordinary waste (if content < 1,000 mg/kg) or as special waste (if content ≥ 1,000 mg/kg).

Practical implications for energy renovation projects

The wave of energy renovations in Switzerland — facade insulation, flat roof replacement, improvement of building thermal envelopes — directly affects the materials likely to contain HBCD. Renovation projects that involve replacing old ETICS systems or old waterproofing membranes with integrated insulation must incorporate HBCD verification into their preparation.

The additional cost associated with managing HBCD special waste (separate sorting, transport through an approved channel, incineration in an authorised facility) can be significant compared to ordinary disposal. This cost difference must be anticipated in the project budget. Failing to verify in advance and failing to sort correctly exposes the project owner and the construction company to penalties for violation of waste legislation.

HBCD diagnosis in Geneva and the canton of Vaud

HBCD is primarily present in thermal polystyrene insulation installed before 2015 in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. Building energy renovation programmes, particularly active in both cantons, are generating an increasing number of insulation waste items potentially containing HBCD. Our experts operate throughout both cantons.

HBCD diagnosis as part of a comprehensive mission

HBCD diagnosis is often carried out jointly with other pollutant diagnoses during a construction site preparation mission. For a building constructed between 1970 and 2000, the pollutants potentially present include asbestos (if constructed before 1991), PAHs (in bituminous coatings), and HBCD (in insulation installed before 2015). An integrated approach allows all these pollutants to be identified in a single intervention.

Visit our asbestos diagnosis Western Switzerland page for an overview of the multi-pollutant approach, or request a personalised quote for your renovation project.