Decabromodiphenyl oxide is an unreactive, additive flame retardant widely used with its thermal stability and its low cost in thermoplastic resins, thermoset resins, textiles and adhesives. The major applications are in high impact polystyrene, glass reinforced thermoplastic polyester and moulding resins, low density polyethylene extrusion coatings, polypropylene (homo- and copolymers), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene rubber, nylon and polyvinyl chloride.

Decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO) is commonly used in conjunction with antimony trioxide, which acts as a synergist, contributing to the flame retardancy of the textile. Typically, the flame retardant mixture consists of about 66 to 75% DBDPO and 25 to 33% antimony trioxide. The amount of DBDPO added to the mixture varies depending on the desired flame-retardant properties of the fabric.