CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

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Your regular update for technical and industry information

UK: United Kingdom updates POPs regulations

MARCH 2025 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS, HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

The United Kingdom (UK) has published amendments to its Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulations1,2 to align the existing regulations with the Stockholm Convention. These amendments aim to enhance environmental protection by updating concentration limits for certain pollutants, adding new substances to waste management lists, and specifying exemptions for specific uses. The amendments will take effect on 1 April 2025.

The amendments to Annex 1 of the UK POPs Regulations include updated unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limits for hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), revised requirements for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and the addition of dechlorane plus, methoxychlor, and UV-328. Table A summarizes these updates to Annex 1. Additionally, Annexes 4 and 5 of the POPs Regulations, which relate to the handling and management of POPs-containing waste, have also been amended accordingly.

Table A: Key changes to Annex 1

Chemical Key changes Potential uses
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)

Newly added UTC limit: 

  • Substance, mixtures and articles ≤ 10 mg/kg 
 As byproduct of the manufacture of certain industrial chemicals and exists as an impurity in several pesticides
Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters (PCP)

Newly added UTC limit: 

  • Substance, mixtures and articles
    ≤ 5 mg/kg
 Used as pesticides and may be found in textiles, leather or wood
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
  • The use of PFOA in transported isolated intermediates is being removed;
  • Details of PFOA related to the production of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowders are further amended;
  • Introduction of a new expiry date of 31 December 2026 for an existing exemption that allows the use of PFOA in perfluorooctyl bromide containing perfluorooctyl iodides.
 Used in production of fluoroelastomers and fluoropolymers, for the production of non–stick kitchen ware, surface finishing for oil, water or stain repellence in textiles, leather, paper
Dechlorane plus

Newly added POPs chemical:

  • Substance, mixtures and articles ≤ 10 mg/kg;
  • Specific exemption in aerospace, space, defense, medical imaging devices, replacement parts for vehicles/machinery;
  • Note: most exemptions expire by 26 February 2030; replacement parts are permitted until the end of the service line of the article or 31 December 2044 whichever earlier).
 Used as flame retardant in plastic such as nylon, polypropylene, rubber, wire and cable insulation, connectors in television and computer monitors
UV-328
Newly added POPs chemical:
  • Substance, mixtures and articles ≤ 10 mg/kg; 
  • Specific exemption in industrial coatings (e.g., rail vehicles), blood collection tubes, aerospace replacement parts;
  • Note: most exemptions expire by 26 February 2030 and replacement parts for specific articles can be used until the end of services life or 31 December 2044 whichever earlier; LCD displays in specific medical devices is allowed until end of service life

As a UV absorber to protect materials from discoloration and degradation under UV/sunlight exposure; can be found in applications in paints, coatings, plastics, and food packaging
Methoxychlor

 Newly added POPs chemical:

  • Substance, mixtures and articles ≤ 0.01 mg/kg
 Used as pesticide


[1] The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2025

[2] The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

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