We are inviting you and any of your colleagues to participate in the fourth in a series of meetings for the coated wire and cable industry, their suppliers, and their customers. The meeting will focus on fire safety and flame retardants, particularly the restrictions on PBDEs and available alternatives. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday, June 5, 2003. We will begin with registration and coffee from 8:30 – 9:00 AM. The technical program will run from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, and will include a light lunch. Don Bliss, president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals, will kick off the day’s program with his perspective on working with all stakeholders to produce products that are protective of both people and the environment. Confirmed speakers also include representatives from Albermarle, Draka, DuPont, Gitto-Global, Greiner Environmental, Judd Wire, Selectech, and UMass Lowell. Agenda topics include:

• Report out from the International Consortium for Fire Safety, Health and the Environment’s May 2003 Symposium on Fire Retardants and Fire Safe Electronics
• Update on international materials restrictions related to flame retardants
• Overview of global requirements for wire and cable fire safety
• Flame retardant materials - applications, performance, life cycle environmental and health assessments and current/future international restrictions and market pressure
• Extruder perspectives on customer requirements
• Testing for presence of restricted substances
• Closing the loop: recycling issues
• Ask the Experts Panel: Questions of the day, including “What do we do if they phase out Deca-Brom?”

We hope that you will be able to join us, and encourage you to invite your suppliers and customers to the meeting. The challenges facing your industry can only be met through participation of the entire supply chain. If you have suggestions on other companies or colleagues that might be interested in attending, please let us know or feel free to forward this invitation.

Please, e-mail or fax back the registration form to confirm your participation. A more detailed final agenda and directions will be sent to confirmed participants.

We are looking forward to seeing you on June 5th. For more information please contact:

Liz Harriman, Associate Director for Research

MA Toxics Use Reduction Institute

Phone: 978-934-3387 Fax: 978-934-3050 E-mail: harriman@turi.org

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute

Environmental Challenges in the Coated Wire and Cable Industry

Fire Safety and Flame Retardants

June 5, 2003 Boxborough, MA

Objective: To bring together representatives of companies throughout the wire and cable value chain to discuss flame retardants and fire safety. The topics will include US and European fire standards and testing, materials options (both resin systems and flame retardants) for different applications, an update on global pressures on certain flame retardants (e.g., PBDEs), and other drivers that might influence materials choices.

Background: This is the fourth meeting of the wire and cable supply chain in Massachusetts – the first one was held in June 2001, the second one – in June 2002, and the third one in December 2002. (for more information see: http://www.turi.org/business/wire_and_cable.htm) Participants in the previous meetings expressed a strong interest in maintaining the dialogue and meeting periodically to get an update on legislative issues and the development of alternatives to lead, brominated flame retardants and other materials contained in wire and cable products.

On February 19, 2003, The European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directives were formally adopted as European law. EU Member States are now obliged to implement the regulations by August 13, 2004. The directives are banning the use of lead, certain brominated flame retardants, and other hazardous substances in electronics and electrical equipment beginning in 2006. Such a step will significantly affect the manufacturers of wire and cable, their suppliers and their customers. The supply chain meetings provide a forum for information sharing, and feedback to the TURA program on industry priorities for research, development and diffusion of safer alternatives.

Fire Safety and the Environment:

About TURI: The Toxics Use Reduction Institute is a research, education and technical support organization located at UMASS Lowell. Together with The Office of Technical Assistance and the Department of Environmental Protection, TURI is responsible for assisting the Commonwealth and its industries in reducing the use of toxic substances and the generation of wastes. For more information on the Institute, please see: www.turi.org.