On March 21st, 2024, the EU adopted the revised draft of Annex I of POPs Regulation (EU)2019/1021, and determined to reduce the limit of unintentional trace pollutants (UTC) of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100mg/kg to 75mg/kg, which shall take effect on the 20th day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the EU.

The current regulatory requirements and amendments of HBCDD are as follows

1. For the purpose of this article, the exemption in Article 4 (1) (b) applies to substances, mixtures, articles or components of flame retardant products with HBCDD concentration ≤ 100 mg/kg (0.01% by weight), which shall be reviewed by the Committee before March 22, 2019. (revised)

Revised as: "As far as this entry is concerned, the exemption in Article 4 (1) (b) applies to substances, mixtures, articles or components of flame-retardant products in which the concentration of HBCDD is ≤ 75 mg/kg (0.0075% by weight). For the use of recycled polystyrene in the production of EPS and XPS thermal insulation materials for building or civil engineering, Article (b) shall apply to the concentration of HBCDD ≤100mg/kg(0.01% by weight). The European Commission shall review and evaluate the exemption specified in point (1) before January 1, 2026.

2. The third and fourth subparagraphs of Article 4 (2) are applicable to expanded polystyrene products containing HBCDD that have been used in buildings before February 21st, 2018 and extruded polystyrene products containing HBCDD that have been used in buildings before June 23rd, 2016 according to (EU) directives EU)2016/293 and 2016/C12/06. (Content unchanged)

3. On the premise of not affecting the application of other EU regulations on the classification, packaging and labeling of substances and mixtures, expanded polystyrene using HBCDD that will be put on the market after March 23, 2016 shall be identified by labeling or other means throughout its life cycle. (Content unchanged)

Warm tips

The EU POPs laws and regulations are updated frequently and the enforcement is constantly strengthened. Cases of related products being notified illegally due to violating POPs laws and regulations abound. ZRLK suggested that relevant enterprises should always pay attention to the dynamics of laws and regulations, formulate control measures for enterprises, and reduce the economic losses caused by products violating POPs laws and regulations. Our company has a wide range of testing fields and a professional and efficient service team, which can help enterprises evaluate the special chemicals regulated in products and make your products meet the corresponding national and international organization standards. If you need it, please feel free to contact us, and our engineers will serve you at the first time!