EU has Added a Ban on Methoxychlor and Lowered the UTC Limit for HBCCD in the POPs Regulation

On September 27, 2024, the European Commission published the amendments to the POPs Regulation — (EU) 2024/2555 and (EU) 2024/2570 — in its Official Journal. These amendments officially reduce the unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg and add methoxychlor (also known as methoxychlor) to the list of banned substances under the EU POPs Regulation. These amendments will take effect on the 20th day following their publication in the Official Journal, which is October 17, 2024. With this, the list of banned substances in Annex I of the EU POPs Regulation officially expands from 29 to 30 items.

(EU) 2024/2555: Revision in Part A of Annex I to the POPs Regulation

Substance

CAS No

EC No

Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification

Hexabromo[1]cyclododecane (HBCDD)

‘Hexabromocyclo[1]dodecane’ means:

hexabromocyclodo[1]decane,

1,2,5,6,9,10-hexab[1]romocyclododecane

and its main diaste[1]reoisomers: alpha[1]hexabromocyclodo[1]decane; beta-hexab[1]romocyclododecane;

and gamma-hexab[1]romocyclododecane

25637-99-4,

3194-55-6,

134237-50-6,

134237-51-7,

134237-52-8

247-148-4,

221-695-9

1. For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 75 mg/kg (0,0075 % by weight) where it is present in substances, mixtures, articles or as constituents of the flame-retarded articles. For the use of recycled polystyrene in the production of EPS and XPS insulation material for use in buildings or civil engineering works, point (b) shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 100 mg/kg (0,01 % by weight). The exemptions laid down in this point 1 shall be reviewed and assessed by the Commission by 1 January 2026.’

2. Expanded polystyrene articles containing hexabromocyclo[1]dodecane already in use in buildings before 21 February 2018 in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/293 and Commission Implementing Decision No 2016/C 12/06, and extruded polystyrene articles containing hexab[1]romocyclododecane already in use in buildings before 23 June 2016 may continue to be used. Article 4(2), third and fourth subparagraphs shall apply to such articles.

3. Without prejudice to the application of other Union provisions on the classification, packaging and labelling of substances and mixtures, expanded polystyrene placed on the market after 23 March 2016 in which hexabromocyclododecane was used shall be identifiable by labelling or other means throughout its life cycle.

(EU) 2024/2570: Addition in Part A of Annex I to the POPs Regulation.

Substance	CAS No	EC No	Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification
‘Methoxychlor “Methoxychlor” refers to any possible isomer of dimethoxydiphenyltrichloroethane or any combination thereof.	72-43-5 30667-99-3 76733-77-2 255065-25-9 255065-26-0 59424-81-6 1348358-72-4 and others	200-779-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of methoxychlor equal to or below 0,01 mg/kg (0,000001 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles.

CIRS C&K Testing Reminder

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), commonly used as a flame retardant, is found in textiles, toys, building materials, and electrical appliances. Relevant enterprises should promptly verify the HBCDD content in their products to prevent non-compliance losses. Methoxychlor, a major insecticide, is typically used in agriculture and livestock to control pests. As the EU continues to update the POPs Regulation, it indicates a move towards stricter regulatory oversight. CIRS C&K Testing advises enterprises exporting to Europe to conduct early investigations into their supply chains to avoid unnecessary losses.

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