According to the latest information from the official website of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Union has made important updates to the list of substances subject to the control of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This update aims to strengthen the regulation of harmful chemical substances to protect the environment and human health from the hazards posed by these persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances.
The list includes all substances currently listed in the relevant annexes to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (POPs Regulation). Substances listed in the following annexes are subject to the corresponding provisions:
- Substances listed in Annex I to the regulation are subject to prohibition (with specific exemptions) on manufacturing, placing on the market and use.
- Substances listed in Annex II to the regulation are subject to restriction on manufacturing, placing on the market and use.
- Substances listed in Annex III to the regulation are subject to release reduction provisions.
- Substances listed in Annex IV to the regulation are subject to waste management provisions.
Note that for some substances listed in Annex I, specific exemptions on the prohibition of their use, manufacturing and placing on the market may apply.
