A flame-retardant composition is described, containing a thermoplastic resin component which includes polyphenylene ether (PPE), along with a low-melting glass having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 500° C. The low-melting glass contains phosphate, and at least one of RO; R′2O; Al2O3; B2O3; or SO3, where R is a bivalent metal, while R′ is an alkali metal. Related articles are also described.