Amendments in EU POPs Regulation, New Bans & Stricter Limits Announced

October 10, 2024

On September 27, 2024, the European Commission published two amendments to the EU POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 in the Official Journal: (EU) 2024/2555 and (EU) 2024/2570. The new regulations reduce the unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit for the existing substance hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg and introduce control requirements for methoxychlor, thereby expanding the list of banned substances under the EU POPs Regulation from 29 to 30 items. These regulations will officially come into effect on the 20th day following the publication in the Official Journal.

The following is the detail information:

Substance Name	CAS No.	EC No.	Specific Exemption Situations (Maximum Allowable Limit)
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)	25637-99-4, 3194-55-6, 134237-50-6, 134237-51-7, 134237-52-8	247-148-4, 221-695-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 75 mg/kg (0,0075 % by weight) where it is present in substances, mixtures, articles or as constituents of the flame-retarded articles. For the use of recycled polystyrene in the production of EPS and XPS insulation material for use in buildings or civil engineering works, point (b) shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 100 mg/kg (0,01 % by weight). The exemptions laid down in this point 1 shall be reviewed and assessed by the Commission by 1 January 2026 2. Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 4(2) apply to the following situations: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) products containing HBCDD that were already in use in buildings before February 21, 2018, in accordance with Directives (EU) 2016/293 and 2016/C12/06, and Extruded polystyrene (XPS) products containing HBCDD that were already in use in buildings before June 23, 2016, may continue to be used. 3. Without prejudice to the other relevant provisions of the EU regarding the classification, packaging, and labeling of substances and mixtures, expanded polystyrene (EPS) products containing HBCDD that are placed on the market after March 23, 2016, shall be marked by labeling or other means of identification throughout their entire life cycle.
Methoxychlor	72-43-5, 30667-99-3, 76733-77-2, 255065-25-9, 255065-26-0, 59424-81-6, 1348358-72-4	200-779-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of methoxychlor equal to or below 0,01 mg/kg (0,000001 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles.’