The EU POPs set the control limit of Hexachlorobenzene

On November 23,2022, the EU Official Gazette issued the (EU) 2022 / 2291 regulation to revise the limit requirements of hexachlorobenzene in Annex I of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1021 (POPs). The regulation will come into force 20 days after it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (13 December 2022).

Hexachlorobenzene is a substance listed in Annex I of the EU POPs regulations. According to Article 3 ( 1 ) of the EU POPs regulations, it is prohibited to produce, market and use in substances, mixtures or articles. In order to clarify the legal situation and facilitate enforcement as regards the use of substances, mixtures or articles containing hexachlorobenzene as an unintentional trace contaminant, a UTC limit of 10 mg/kg (0,001 % by weight) should be set for hexachlorobenzene.

Hexachlorobenzene is mainly used as a seed dressing fungicide. The preliminary list of carcinogens published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization is in the list of 2B carcinogens. The Commission has determined the presence of hexachlorobenzene as an impurity in some substances, mixtures and articles, including pesticides, chlorinated solvents, inks, coatings, paints and toners, wood application, textile application and plastics.

CTT Warm Tips：

In July 2019, hexachlorobenzene was officially used as a control substance for POPs, and there was no restriction on unintentional trace pollutants before the release of this revised bill. After the release of the revised bill need to pay attention to pesticides, chlorinated solvents, inks, coatings, paints and toners, wood, textiles and plastic products hexachlorobenzene content exceeded. Make corresponding improvement measures before the implementation of this proposal. CTT has a wealth of product testing experience to help you easily understand whether the product safety compliance, welcome to consult.

Original link：https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2022.303.01.0019.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A303%3ATOC