New version of the POP Regulation published
Persistent organic pollutants (POP) refer to chemical compounds whose breakdown or conversion in the environment only occurs at a very slow rate. In 2004, the Regulation (EC) No. 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants – short form: POP Regulation – was published with the goal of improving the protection of the environment and human health. Since then, the regulation has been revised multiple times. As changes are once again pending, the EU has decided to completely revise the regulation.
The new version was released on June 25, 2019 in the official gazette of the EU: Regulation (EU) no. 2019/1021. There were also changes, among other things, to Annex I, which concerns substances banned in materials, mixtures and articles. For example, the limit for the flame retardants tetra, penta, hexa and heptabromodiphenyl ether in materials, mixtures and articles amounted to 10 mg/kg to date. The limit will only apply to materials in the new version. Decabromdiphenyl ether has also been included. A total limit of 500 mg/kg for all polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed in Annex I now applies for mixtures and articles.
Pentachlorphenol as well as its salts and esters have also been adopted in Annex I. Unfortunately, a limit has not been defined. Unintended trace contamination is, however, still permitted.
The new version of the regulation took effect on July 15, 2019.