The most commonly used approach for enhancing the fire safety performance of polymeric materials is the use of flame retardant additives in large volume used polymers. The additives must have a minimum impact on physical properties and product cost. Although halogenated flame retardants are highly effective for reducing the heat release rate of commodity polymers, public perception of the environmental impact of recycling and incineration of certain halogenated flame retardants has become an issue in Europe. Therefore this study reviews attempts of developing other types of flame-retardant treatments such as phosphorous based compounds whose effective flame retardant performance is well known.