November 14, 2024
The European Commission has issued Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2570 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding methoxychlor. The EU has also issued Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2555 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 regarding hexabromocyclododecane.
Methoxychlor
Starting October 17, 2024, methoxychlor shall be added to Annex I of the POPs Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1021), and is effectively prohibited from the EU and subject to the following concentration limits:
| Substance | Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification |
|---|---|
| Methoxychlor Methoxychlor refers to any possible isomer of dimethoxydiphenyltrichloroethane or any combination thereof. |
Concentrations equal to or below 0.01 mg/kg (0.000001% by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures, or articles. |
Methoxychlor is often used as a pesticide.
Hexabromocyclododecane
Additionally, the entry for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) in Annex I of the POPs Regulation is amended largely due to it being phased out. However, due to past and current recycling activities, HBCDD occurs in recycled plastics and products made therefrom. There are concerns that new applications of recycled polymeric material that, in their original application have been flame-retarded, have led to the undesirable presence of restricted brominated flame retardants in goods such as children’s toys, food-contact articles and polystyrene packaging. Hence, the concentration of this toxic substance in products should be as low as possible to minimize exposure and thus protect human health and the environment.
These amendments shall also take effect on October 17, 2024.
Hexabromocyclododecane is usually used in flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, footwear, leather products, paper and cardboard products and electronic equipment. It is also used in outdoor long-life materials with low release rate (e.g., metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials) and is usually released into the environment through these means.
Official sources
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