POPs Regulation updates: Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, PFCA C9–C21
Public consultation open until December 19 for the preparation of three delegated regulations by the European Commission to introduce three new substances into Annex I
22 Dec 2025The European Union has initiated public consultations designed to enhance measures addressing persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which represent significant risks to both environmental integrity and public health. The current discussions centre on three regulatory proposals intended to revise Annex I of the POPs Regulation, specifically relating to chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), as well as their respective salts and associated compounds.
Below is a brief overview of the main uses of the substances under consultation, the limits that the delegated regulations would impose, and the restrictions on their use:
|
Substance/Group of Substances |
Use |
Limit |
Context |
|
Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9–21 PFCAs), salts and related compounds |
Chemical compounds used in a wide range of products, from waterproof textiles to metal protection products. |
0.025 mg/kg (PFCAs and salts); 0.26 mg/kg (related compounds); specific exemptions up to 10 mg/kg in particular cases. |
Inclusion in Annex I of POPs according to decision SC-12/12 of the Stockholm Convention. Limits apply to unintentional contamination. Temporary exemptions for semiconductors in electronic equipment placed on the market before 31/12/2023 (valid until 30/12/2030). A subclass of these substances (C9–14 PFCAs) was already subject to restriction in the European Union under REACH (Annex XVII, entry 68). With the amendment to the POPs Regulation, the entire C9–21 PFCA group is included. |
|
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) |
Chemical compounds used in various industrial sectors such as plastics, solvents, and lubricants. Known for their resistance to degradation and ability to accumulate in living organisms. |
1000 mg/kg (0.1% by weight) as unintentional contaminant. |
Inclusion in Annex I of POPs according to decision SC-12/12 of the Stockholm Convention. Exemptions for critical industrial uses (metalworking fluids, polymers/rubber in spare parts, medical devices, aerospace/defense) with defined deadlines (up to 2036 or 2041). Obligation to include information in Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and minimize exposure and environmental release. |
|
Chlorpyrifos |
A pesticide widely used in agriculture, at the center of environmental and health concerns due to its long persistence in the environment and potential harmful effects on human health. |
0.01 mg/kg as unintentional contaminant. |
Inclusion in Annex I of POPs without specific exemptions, in line with decision SC-12/9. Substance already unauthorized in the EU as a plant protection product/biocide. Strengthening of the ban and greater protection of health and environment. |
The European Commission invites all interested parties to participate in the public consultation, which will be open until December 19, 2025.
Citizens, experts, and organizations are encouraged to express their opinions and share their experiences regarding the regulatory proposals related to the substances mentioned above.
The update to the POPs Regulation will be fundamental for enabling the European Union to fully comply with the Stockholm Convention and will require companies to carefully review their supply chains and the management of chemical substances present in products placed on the market. The Commission plans to formally adopt these changes in the first quarter of 2026.