On November 21, 2025, the European Commission released three detailed draft proposals aimed at strengthening the EU’s controls on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The proposals seek to list chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9–21 PFCAs) in Part A of Annex I of the POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. Substances listed in this section are subject to strict, EU-wide bans, with production, marketing, and use fully prohibited except for narrowly defined and time-limited exemptions.
Purpose of the Amendment
The drafts aim to address the significant environmental and human health risks posed by these chemicals, which are known for:
-
Persistence (resisting degradation in the environment)
-
Bioaccumulation (building up in living organisms)
-
Long-range environmental transport
-
Toxicity to humans and ecosystems
Including these substances in Annex I would ensure harmonized restrictions across all EU member states, eliminating inconsistencies in national regulations and further aligning the EU with global commitments under the UN Stockholm Convention on POPs.
Key Substances Covered
-
Chlorpyrifos: A pesticide associated with neurotoxicity and concerns related to children’s health.
-
MCCPs: Industrial chemicals widely used in plastics and metalworking fluids, identified for their persistence and bioaccumulation.
-
C9–21 PFCAs: Long-chain PFAS substances linked to environmental persistence and adverse health impacts, building on earlier PFAS restrictions.
Transitional Exemptions
Only a very limited number of sectors may receive short-term exemptions, primarily where:
-
No safer alternatives currently exist, and
-
Immediate prohibition would cause disproportionate disruption.
These exemptions are expected to be minimal and tightly controlled.
Public Consultation and Next Steps
The proposals are open for public feedback until December 19, 2025. After the consultation period, the Commission will finalize the texts and submit them for adoption.
The final regulations are anticipated to be published in the EU Official Journal in the first quarter of 2026. They will become legally binding 20 days after publication, at which point all EU member states must implement the provisions directly without requiring national transposition.
