European Commission accepts a proposal to tighten the concentration limits for POPs in waste

On the 28th of October 2021, the European Commission adopted the proposal on protecting human health and the environment by tightening the limits for POPs. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are the most harmful chemicals in waste, and the proposal is targeted at preventing these chemicals from entering the economy.

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, acknowledges that this is one more step to fulfill their promise to remove the most harmful pollutants from our daily lives.

POPs are no longer used in new products. However, they are still found in the waste from consumer products like waterproof textiles, plastics, electronic equipment, and furniture.

The Commission then proposes strict limits for the following POPs:

• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and related compounds – found in waterproof textiles and fire-fighting foams;
• dicofol – a pesticide, previously used in agriculture;
• pentachlorophenol, its salts and esters – found in treated wood and textiles.

Furthermore, the Commission wants to tighten the maximum limits in waste for another five substances.

This is a vital step towards achieving a more circular economy, contributing to the European Green Deal's Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Latest Update: 2021-11-02