EU Adds Dechlorane Plus, UV-328 and Methoxychlor to Annex A of Stockholm Convention

On May 24, 2023, the Official Journal of the European Union, L136, published the EU’s official position on the proposed amendments to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) adopted at the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The resolution reads as follows:

 (a) to support the listing of dechlorane plus in Annex A, with specific exemptions recommended by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (the ‘POPRC’);

 (b) to support the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A, without any specific exemptions; and

 (c) to support the listing of UV-328 in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC.

From May 1 to May 12, 2023, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was convened in Geneva, Switzerland. At this meeting, dechlorane plus, methoxychlor and UV-328 were listed in Annex A of the Convention. Specific exemptions on methoxychlor and UV-328 recommended by the POPRC remain. Up to now, a total of 34 chemical substances are regulated by the convention.

Introduction of these three substances:

Dechlorane plus, as a polychlorinated flame retardant, can be used as a modifier for thermoplastic plastics such as nylon 66, nylon 6, PBT, HIPS, ABS, and PP. Currently, dechlorane plus is listed as a new pollutant under key control in China. According to the List of New Pollutants under Key Control (2023 version) officially implemented on March 1, 2023, the production, processing, use, and import/export of dechlorane plus will be prohibited from January 1, 2024. Requirements for the disposal of related waste are also imposed.

Methoxychlor, as an organochlorine pesticide, has been prohibited in China.

As a UV absorber, UV-328 can be used to prevent materials from discoloration and degradation. It is mainly used in paints and coatings, sealants, and resins for interior and exterior components and liquid crystal panels. Moreover, it can be used as additives in plastics, inks, and adhesives for food packaging. Because of their irreplaceable applications, a transitional period for special users may be given.

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Further Information

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2023:136:FULL