The 22nd meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC.22) under the United Nations Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants will be held in Rome, Italy, from 21 to 25 September 2026. This meeting will be held back-to-back with the 22nd meeting of the Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention, focusing on the enhanced regulation of novel flame retardants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Two New Chemical Proposals
The meeting will consider two important proposals for new listings, both concerning brominated flame retardants:
- Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) — Proposed by the Government of Norway, requesting the listing of DBDPE and its related substance "1,1'-ethane-1,2-diylbis[phenyl], brominated derivatives" in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention. As a replacement for traditional decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), DBDPE has seen a sharp increase in global production in recent years; however, its persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity have drawn significant international concern.
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) — Proposed by the European Union, covering all isomers and combinations thereof. TBPH is widely used as a flame retardant in flexible polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane foam, and its environmental detection rates continue to rise.
Dioxin-like Substances
The Committee will consider the revised draft risk profile for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed brominated/chlorinated congeners. This agenda item was deferred at POPRC.21 in 2025 due to insufficient scientific evidence, at which time the Committee specifically invited parties to submit additional information on long-range environmental transport and linkages to adverse effects on human health.
PFAS Substances
The meeting will also conduct an in-depth review of the regulatory status of listed PFAS chemicals:
- PFOS: Assessment of the continued need for acceptable purposes and specific exemptions
- PFOI pharmaceutical exemption: Review of whether the specific exemption for the use of perfluorooctyl iodide (PFOI) in the production of perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) for pharmaceutical manufacturing remains warranted
- Indicative list update: Consideration of the coverage lists for long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and their related compounds
In addition, the Committee will discuss follow-up work on reporting of POPs in stockpiles, products, articles in use, and wastes, as well as ways to enhance the submission of Annex F information.
