On June 6, 2023, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, in collaboration with relevant departments, has issued the Announcement No. 20[2023] titled "Environmental Risk Management and Control Requirements for Five Types of Persistent Organic Pollutants Including Polychlorinated Naphthalene." This Announcement addresses strict control measures for six types of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), namely hexachlorobutadiene, polychlorinated naphthalene, pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters, decabromodiphenyl ether, and short-chain chlorinated paraffins. All these measures aim to prevent environmental pollution and safeguard human health and the ecosystem.
Major control measures:
- Prohibition of the production, use, and import/export of hexachlorobutadiene, polychlorinated naphthalene, and pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters.
- Prohibition of the production, use, and import/export of decabromodiphenyl ether, with specific exemptions for textile products requiring flame retardancy (excluding clothing and toys). Exemption is valid until December 31, 2023.
- Prohibition of the production, use, and import/export of short-chain chlorinated paraffins, with specific exemptions for nine applications, including additives used in the production of conveyor belts in the natural and synthetic rubber industry. Exemption is valid until December 31, 2023.
- Enterprises and entities emitting hexachlorobutadiene and polychlorinated naphthalene should take solid measures to reduce emissions or eliminate emission sources. Development and application of alternative technologies are also encouraged to prevent the production and release of these pollutants.
- Chemical substances used for laboratory-scale research or as unintentional trace contaminants in products and articles serving as reference standard do not meet the above-mentioned requirements, unless otherwise specified.
Details of these substances are listed in the following table:
| SN | Name of Persistent Organic Pollutant | CAS No. | HS Code |
| 1 | Hexachlorobutadiene | 87-68-3 | 2903299020 |
| 2 | Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters |
87-86-5 |
2908110000 |
| 3 | Polychlorinated naphthalenes, including dichloronaphthalene, trichloronaphthalene, tetrachloronaphthalene, pentachloronaphthalene, hexachloronaphthalene, heptachloronaphthalene, and octachloronaphthalene | - | 2903999050 etc |
| 4 | Decabromodiphenyl ether | 1163-19-5 | 2909309018 |
| 5 | Short chain chlorinated paraffins |
For instance: |
3824890000 |
This Announcement will come into effect from June 6, 2023. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will coordinate with other departments to strengthen publicity and interpretation and further ensure that companies and competent departments fully understand management requirements. Once there are violations, investigations will be conducted. This move marks an important step for China in environmental protection and control of persistent organic pollutant control.
