News Details

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the results of its consultation on proposed amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, along with the government’s response. Defra received 25 responses and intends to proceed with legislation covering Great Britain, incorporating some changes to its original proposals.

The planned amendments would add five substances or substance groups to the list of prohibited POPs: medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), UV-328, dechlorane plus and chlorpyrifos.

Changes following consultation

Respondents generally supported the proposed prohibitions, but raised questions about trace contaminant limits, testing and alignment with European Union rules. Defra intends to refine several limits for unintentional trace contaminants, including those for MCCPs and LC-PFCAs. The department also plans to introduce transitional limits for UV-328 and dechlorane plus, and to lower the limits for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Proposed Timeline

Defra plans to present the statutory instrument to Parliament in October 2026, with entry into force expected in December, subject to parliamentary approval. This timetable is intended to meet the 16 December 2026 deadline set by the Stockholm Convention for implementing restrictions on MCCPs, LC-PFCAs and chlorpyrifos.

The proposed legislation would cover England, Scotland and Wales, subject to consent from the Scottish and Welsh ministers. The EU POPs Regulation applies in Northern Ireland.