Unintended by-products formed during manufacturing, degradation, or combustion processes (e.g., dioxins and furans)
Key Changes
The Dechlorane Plus (DP) entry will be added to Annex I (List of Prohibited Substances). Considering the need to ensure accuracy in content analysis, the limit for Unintentional Trace Contaminants (UTCs) is set at 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%). After 30 months from the date of entry into force, this limit will be tightened to 1 mg/kg (0.0001%). In addition, exceptions will be allowed for the maintenance of existing equipment or essential operations for up to 5–10 years, or until the end of the product’s service life, whichever comes first.
On September 25, 2025, an amendment was published adding Dechlorane Plus (DP) to Annex I (the list of prohibited substances) of the EU POPs Regulation. With this amendment, all substances decided at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention in May 2023 have now been incorporated into the EU POPs Regulation.
Regulatory Overview
The EU POPs Regulation (Persistent Organic Pollutants, Regulation (EU) 2019/1021) is based on the Stockholm Convention and covers the prohibition, restriction, release reduction, and waste management of persistent organic pollutants.
POPs: Substances that, once released into the environment, can accumulate and cause serious harm to the environment and the human health.
Types of chemicals classified as POPs:
Pesticides (e.g., DDT)
Industrial chemicals (e.g., PCBs – polychlorinated biphenyls)
Unintended by-products formed during manufacturing, degradation, or combustion processes (e.g., dioxins and furans)
Key Changes
The Dechlorane Plus (DP) entry will be added to Annex I (List of Prohibited Substances).
Considering the need to ensure accuracy in content analysis, the limit for Unintentional Trace Contaminants (UTCs) is set at 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%). After 30 months from the date of entry into force, this limit will be tightened to 1 mg/kg (0.0001%). In addition, exceptions will be allowed for the maintenance of existing equipment or essential operations for up to 5–10 years, or until the end of the product’s service life, whichever comes first.
Commission Delegated Regulation: (EU) 2025/1930
Publication of the Official Journal: September 25, 2025
Entry into Force: October 15, 2025
Dechlorane Plus (DP) addition to Annex I (List of Prohibited Substances)
CAS Numbers: 13560-89-9, 135821-03-3 & 135821-74-8
Main Applications: Flame retardant (used across a wide range of sectors including automotive, electronics, and plastic products)
Details on UTC content limits and derogation provisions according to the regulation can be found in Table 1 and Table 2 below.
For specific subjects and requirements, please refer to the original text of the regulation.
DP (13560-89-9), including its syn-isomer (135821-03-3) and anti-isomers (135821-74-8)
Substances
Mixtures
Articles
≤ 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%)
Until April 15, 2028
≤ 1 mg/kg (0.0001%)
After April 15
[Table 1. Scope, UTC Limits, and Effective Dates under Article 1]
2
(a) - (c)
Aerospace, space, defense, medical imaging, and radiotherapy
Until February 26, 2030
(d)
Vehicles, industrial machinery, marine and outdoor equipment, measuring instruments, etc.
Until the end of the product’s service life or December 31, 2043, whichever comes first
(e)
Medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices
Until the end of the product’s service life
3
Time of assessment
Evaluation of the need for extension of exemption
By April 1, 2028
4
Existing products
Products in use before the expiration of the exemption
May continue to be used