Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF) and PR firm Burson-Marsteller

Nominated for fighting fire with smokescreens

Cloaking itself in a name which suggests an academic body or environmental forum, the Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF) represents four of the world’s major producers of brominated flame retardants – based in the US, Israel and Japan. Serious health concerns in Europe about some of their products led to calls for a ban. To counter this public interest, these four companies called-in PR giant Burson-Marsteller, well-experienced in running corporate front groups, who helped set up and run BSEF’s EU operations. In its house of mirrors in Brussels, Burson-Marsteller also runs several other bromine industry outfits fighting EU bans, such as the ‘Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in Europe’ (ACFSE).

Since exposure of BSEF by Corporate Europe Observatory, changes on the BSEF’s website shed a little more light on the nature of its activities. Now we invite you offer them the chance to glow as a ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award winner, 2005.

Link to more information

• The House of Mirrors – Burson Marsteller Brussels lobbying for the bromine industry, Corporate Europe Observatory, January 2005

Voters said about this nominee:

without scruples, highly manipulative

for hindrance of new technology and putting ngo`s in disrepute…

pushing brominated flame retardants which are now contaminating the whole planet

widespread usage in electronics, and disregard for science and health concerns

Children and families should not be conned into thinking they are being protected when in fact brominated flame retardants are very hazardous to their health.

For BSEF’s commitment to expose consumers unwittingly and continuously to their toxic products; for their passion in ensuring that U.S. action on BFRs are effectively curtailed by lobbying in the EU and undercutting state efforts by stopping them beyond American shores; and for their unwavering support to saving lives though those lives may be cut short because of health problems and an overall decrease in their quality of life. Bravo BSEF!

Because I love smokescreens!

cause they’re worth it!

For their scientific incorrectes and their overall proffesional agrasive lobbying

because of their scientific incorectness

I am a scientist working in the field of brominated flame retardants with a broad knowledge on the subject. Klaus Rothenbacher (BSEF) is my friend 😉