At the end of September, the European Commission updated Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The update cover two substances included in Annex I:
a) Methoxychlor – concentration equal to or below 0.01 mg/kg if methoxychlor is present in substances, mixtures or articles.
b) Hexabromocyclododecane – concentration equal to or below than 75 mg/kg if it is present in substances, mixtures or articles, or is part of flame retardant articles; and concentration equal to or less than 100 mg/kg in the case of using recycled polystyrene in the production of EPS and XPS materials.
The aim of introducing the restriction is to protect human health and the environment by eliminating, limiting the production, use of substances and introducing persistent organic pollutants into circulation as soon as possible, because they accumulate in living organisms and remain permanently in the environment.
Chemical substances considered persistent organic pollutants may be contained in pesticides, industrial chemicals, as well as in by-products of production processes, degradation and combustion.
Let us recall that the regulation prohibits the production, placing on the market and use of substances listed in Annex I on their own, in mixtures or articles, with the specific exemption on intermediate use, listed in the annexes.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2570 of 22 July 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards methoxychlor
Delegated regulation – EU – 2024/2570 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2555 of 21 March 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards hexabromocyclododecane
Delegated regulation – EU – 2024/2555 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
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