EU agreed to add three prohibited substances to the POPs Convention

On May 12, 2025, the European Union issued Decision (EU) 2025/868, agreed to include three substances—medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), chlorpyrifos, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds (LC-PFCAs) —in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention). The decision also supports amendments to specific exemptions proposed by Ethiopia for certain uses of UV-328 and by South Korea for specific applications of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The main content is as follows：

1.To support the listing of chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC, and to request additional specific exemptions for use in certain defence and aerospace applications, such as coatings, lubricants, and ammunition and its packaging, and extended expiry dates for some exemptions for aerospace and defence applications until 2041, with a possible extension of this expiry date until the end of life of equipment and spare parts if those substances are used in such applications.

2. To support the listing of chlorpyrifos in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC.

3. To support the listing of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC.

4. The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be to support the proposal submitted by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to amend Annex A to the Convention by adding a specific exemption for certain limited uses of UV-328 in civilian and military aircraft including in relevant spare parts, provided that the exemption applies for as short a period as possible and does not exceed five years.

5. The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be to accept the request submitted by the Republic of Korea to extend the expiry date of the specific exemptions, which will only apply to the Republic of Korea as requesting Party, for the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride in fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapor suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems.

Primary Uses of the Newly Added Substances:

MCCPs: Used as plasticizers, flame retardants, and leather treatment agents in the production of plastics, rubber, textiles, synthetic leather, sealants, and adhesives. When added to paints and coatings, MCCPs enhance flame resistance, water repellency, and weather resistance in the finished layers.

Chlorpyrifos: A non-systemic broad spectrum insecticide and acaricide, primarily employed to control agricultural pests and public health pests. It is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and causes long-term detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems.

LC-PFCAs: Leveraging their water-repellent, oil-resistant, and high-temperature-resistant properties, these compounds serve as plasticizers, flame retardants, lubricants, adhesives, sealants, metalworking fluids, paints and coatings, and leather fatliquoring agents. They are extensively utilized across industries such as textiles, food packaging, electronic devices, and firefighting foams.

CTT Reminder：

The addition of three prohibited substances to the POPs Convention this time indicates that the control measures of the POPs Convention are continuously strengthening. MCCPs and LC-PFCAs are widely used in daily consumer goods, industrial production and the electronic and electrical industries. Chlorpyrifos, when used as an insecticide, often remains in natural materials. It is recommended that relevant enterprises actively pay attention to the latest developments of the POPs Convention and international relevant regulations, and choose environmentally friendly substances as substitutes. If you have any questions or need professional support, please feel free to consult us at any time.

Links:https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500868