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EU Revises Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)

08 Oct 2020
Chemical Beaker

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemicals that persist in the environment, accumulate through the food chain, and have adverse effects on human health and the environment. As they are highly toxic, persistent in the environment, bio-accumulative and transport at long-range, many countries signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001 to promote the elimination and reduction of POPs.

On June 25, 2019, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, recasting the original POPs Regulation (EC) No. 850/2004, and the new regulation took effect on July 15, 2019.

Recently, the EU published several amendments to the POPs regulation in its Official Journal to revise requirements of regulated substances and related provisions. Highlights are listed in the following table

AmendmentRelease DateHighlights
(EU) 2020/12032020.08.18

Revising the exemption requirements of PFOS:

  • The first paragraph of point 4 is replaced by the following: If the quantity released into the environment is minimized, manufacturing and placing on the market shall be allowed until 7 September 2025 for use as mist suppressant for non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating in closed loop systems. Provided that those Member States where PFOS is used report to the Commission by 7 September 2024 on progress made to eliminate PFOS and justify the continuing need for this use, the Commission shall review the need for a prolongation of the derogation for this use of PFOS for a maximum of five years by 7 September 2025.’
  • The third paragraph of point 4 is deleted
(EU) 2020/12042020.08.18Add dicofol (CAS No 115-32-2) to the Part A of Annex I
The amendments above enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union

In addition, the EU has issued several draft amendments to POPs regulation and launched public consultation. Highlights are listed as following:

SubstancesHighlights
PFOA and its salts and PFOA-related compoundsPFOA and its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds equal to or below 2 mg/kg (0,0002% by weight) where they are present in medical devices other than invasive devices and implantable devices
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts and estersPentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts and esters equal to or below 5 mg/kg (0,0005% by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles
The consultation period is from September 1, 2020 to September 29, 2020


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