Regulation (EU) 2022/2291 Sets UTC Limit for Hexachlorobenzene

On November 23, 2022, the European Commission released Regulation (EU) 2022/2291 in the Official Journal of the European Union amending Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, in which Unintentional Trace Contaminant (UTC) limit is set for hexachlorobenzene. Regulation 2022/2291 shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication and be applicable in all Member States.

Hexachlorobenzene usually presents as an impurity in certain substances, mixtures, and articles, including pesticides, chlorinated solvents, inks, coatings, paints and toners, wood applications, textile applications, and plastics.

In order to clarify the legal situation and facilitate enforcement with regard to the use of substances, mixtures, or articles containing hexachlorobenzene as an unintentional trace contaminant (UTC), a UTC limit of 10 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) (0.001% by weight) should be set for hexachlorobenzene.

The following are the amendments for Hexachlorobenzene:

Substance	CAS No.	EC Number	Special Exemption
Hexachlorobenzene	118-74-1	200-273-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of hexachlorobenzene equal to or below 10 mg/kg (0.001% by weight) where it is present in substances, mixtures, or articles.

About POPs Regulation

In 2004, the European Parliament and the Council released Regulation (EC) No. 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which regulates POPs commonly used in industry sectors and consumer goods. On June 25, 2019, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 which came into force on July 15, 2019. Regulation (EC) No 850/200 was repealed simultaneously.

The objective of this Regulation is to protect human health and the environment from POPs by phasing out and minimizing those substances because of their hazards.

Targeted substances are organic substances that persist in the environment and are bio-accumulative which pose threats to human health and the environment, such as pesticides, flame retardants, and PFAS compounds.

Warm Reminder

In recent years, POPs have been one of the key inspection points in EU law enforcement. The Rapid Exchange of Information System (RAPEX) has reported irregular cases in violation of EU Regulations on POPs. Enterprises shall keep an eye on relevant Regulations to avoid losses caused by non-compliance.

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Reference

Official Journal