On 21 November 2025, the European Commission published draft delegated regulations proposing the addition of Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs1) and Long-chain PFCAs2) to Annex I3) of the EU POPs Regulation. Once adopted, the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of these substances will be fully prohibited, with only very limited exemptions permitted.
1) MCCPs (Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins): Defined as C14–17
2) Long-chain PFCAs (Perfluorocarboxylic acids): Defined as C9–C21
3) EU POPs Annex I: List of substances subject to prohibition
Regulatory Overview
The EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021) is based on the Stockholm Convention and addresses the prohibition, restriction, reduction of releases, and waste management of persistent organic pollutants.
POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants): Chemicals that, once released into the environment, can accumulate and cause serious harm to ecosystems and human health.
Types of chemicals classified as POPs include:
Pesticides (e.g., DDT – a chlorinated pesticide historically used in agriculture and public health)
Industrial chemicals (e.g., PCBs – synthetic organics previously used for flame retardancy, insulation and other industrial applications)
Unintentional by-products generated during industrial processes, decomposition or combustion (e.g., dioxins and furans)
Link to the Stockholm Convention and the Draft Amendment
This draft regulations implement decisions adopted at the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Stockholm Convention held in May 2025. At that meeting, Parties agreed to list the three substances in Annex A1) of the Convention for global elimination. The EU is now incorporating this international agreement into its domestic regulatory framework. Detailed information for each substance can be found in the tables and in the draft text.
1) Stockholm Convention Annex A (Elimination): List of substances subject to global phase-out (added to EU POPs Annex I through the amendment process)
[Source: Stockholm Convention official website]
Substance & Draft text | Major uses | UTC2) limit value | Examples of Exempted Uses |
|---|
Chlorpyrifos | Agricultural pesticide
| 0.000001 %
(0.01 mg/kg) | No exemptions |
MCCPs | Plasticizers
Flame retardants
Lubricant additives, … | 0.1%
(1000 mg/kg) | Metalworking fluids (until 2036) Polymers and rubber used for spare parts and repairs of the following equipment (until the earlier of end-of-service-life or 31 December 2041) On-road vehicles Agricultural equipment Construction, forestry, and landscaping machinery Medical devices (electrical and electronic equipment under Regulation (EU) 2017/745) In vitro diagnostic devices (electrical and electronic equipment under Regulation (EU) 2017/746) Measuring, analytical, manufacturing, control, monitoring, and testing equipment Aerospace and defence equipment
Flexible PVC, non-structural adhesives (aerospace/defence use), and paints/coatings (permitted for five years from the date of publication of the amendment) Defence explosives and propellants; intumescent coatings for fire protection (until 2041) |
Long chain PFCA | Fluorine-based water- and oil-repellent coatings Additives for electronic and semiconductor processes | 0.0000025%
(25 ppb, Sum of PFCA and its salts) 0.000026%
(260 ppb: Sum of PFCA-related substances) | Semiconductor spare parts ( until 2030) Allowance for UTC
• Transported isolated intermediates: 0.001% (10 mg/kg)
• Fluoroplastics / elastomers (PFA): 0.00001% (0.1 mg/kg)
• PTFE micropowders: 0.0001% (1 mg/kg) |
2) UTC: Unintentional Trace Contaminant
Timeline for Adoption
The public consultation period for the draft amendments to the EU POPs Regulation runs from 21 November to 19 December 2025. During this period, companies, NGOs and experts may submit comments. Submitted input will be reviewed and incorporated into the final Delegated Regulations as appropriate.
Adoption is expected in the first half of 2026. After adoption, the European Parliament and the Council will have a defined period to scrutinize the measure. If no objections are raised, the Delegated Regulations will enter into force automatically.
On 21 November 2025, the European Commission published draft delegated regulations proposing the addition of Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs1) and Long-chain PFCAs2) to Annex I3) of the EU POPs Regulation. Once adopted, the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of these substances will be fully prohibited, with only very limited exemptions permitted.
1) MCCPs (Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins): Defined as C14–17
2) Long-chain PFCAs (Perfluorocarboxylic acids): Defined as C9–C21
3) EU POPs Annex I: List of substances subject to prohibition
Regulatory Overview
The EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021) is based on the Stockholm Convention and addresses the prohibition, restriction, reduction of releases, and waste management of persistent organic pollutants.
POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants): Chemicals that, once released into the environment, can accumulate and cause serious harm to ecosystems and human health.
Types of chemicals classified as POPs include:
Pesticides (e.g., DDT – a chlorinated pesticide historically used in agriculture and public health)
Industrial chemicals (e.g., PCBs – synthetic organics previously used for flame retardancy, insulation and other industrial applications)
Unintentional by-products generated during industrial processes, decomposition or combustion (e.g., dioxins and furans)
Link to the Stockholm Convention and the Draft Amendment
This draft regulations implement decisions adopted at the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Stockholm Convention held in May 2025. At that meeting, Parties agreed to list the three substances in Annex A1) of the Convention for global elimination. The EU is now incorporating this international agreement into its domestic regulatory framework. Detailed information for each substance can be found in the tables and in the draft text.
1) Stockholm Convention Annex A (Elimination): List of substances subject to global phase-out (added to EU POPs Annex I through the amendment process)
[Source: Stockholm Convention official website]
Chlorpyrifos
Agricultural pesticide
0.000001 %
(0.01 mg/kg)
No exemptions
MCCPs
Plasticizers
Flame retardants
Lubricant additives, …
0.1%
(1000 mg/kg)
Metalworking fluids (until 2036)
Polymers and rubber used for spare parts and repairs of the following equipment (until the earlier of end-of-service-life or 31 December 2041)
On-road vehicles
Agricultural equipment
Construction, forestry, and landscaping machinery
Medical devices (electrical and electronic equipment under Regulation (EU) 2017/745)
In vitro diagnostic devices (electrical and electronic equipment under Regulation (EU) 2017/746)
Measuring, analytical, manufacturing, control, monitoring, and testing equipment
Aerospace and defence equipment
Flexible PVC, non-structural adhesives (aerospace/defence use), and paints/coatings (permitted for five years from the date of publication of the amendment)
Defence explosives and propellants; intumescent coatings for fire protection (until 2041)
Long chain PFCA
Fluorine-based water- and oil-repellent coatings
Additives for electronic and semiconductor processes
0.0000025%
(25 ppb, Sum of PFCA and its salts)
0.000026%
(260 ppb: Sum of PFCA-related substances)
Semiconductor spare parts ( until 2030)
Allowance for UTC
• Transported isolated intermediates: 0.001% (10 mg/kg)
• Fluoroplastics / elastomers (PFA): 0.00001% (0.1 mg/kg)
• PTFE micropowders: 0.0001% (1 mg/kg)
2) UTC: Unintentional Trace Contaminant
Timeline for Adoption
The public consultation period for the draft amendments to the EU POPs Regulation runs from 21 November to 19 December 2025. During this period, companies, NGOs and experts may submit comments. Submitted input will be reviewed and incorporated into the final Delegated Regulations as appropriate.
Adoption is expected in the first half of 2026. After adoption, the European Parliament and the Council will have a defined period to scrutinize the measure. If no objections are raised, the Delegated Regulations will enter into force automatically.