Disclaimer: This document provides guidance and is not a legally binding interpretation and shall therefore not be relied upon as legal advice.
Recent and upcoming changes for POPs
Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been amended several times in the past months.
Changes were implemented by Regulations (EU) 2024/2570 (methoxychlor), (EU) 2025/718 (PFOS), (EU) 2025/843 (UV-328), and (EU) 2025/1399 (PFOA).
An overview
The table below provides an overview of the related substances, the products possibly impacted by the changes and the deadlines.
| Substance | Product impact | Deadline |
| PFOA | Non-stick cookwareStain-resistant carpets and fabricsSome food packaging, (like microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes)Firefighting foamsSki wax | From Dec 3, 2025.Firefighting foams new limits per Aug 3, 2028. |
| PFOS | Electric and electronic partsFirefighting foamsPhoto imagingHydraulic fluidsTextiles | Per July 17 2025;new limits by Dec 3, 2025. |
| UV‑328 | UV-328 is used as a UV absorber to protect surfaces against discoloration and degradation under UV/sunlight. This substance has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:Additive in plastics, printing inks and rubber for outdoor furniture, construction materials, wood products and the non-food contact layer of food packagingApplications in leather and textilesAutomotive coatings, paints, plastics, rubber and sealantsAutomotive fluids, including cooling and hydraulic liquids and lubricants in motor oilUltra-violet (UV) absorber to protect materials against discoloration and degradation under UV light (sunlight)Printing inks and adhesives in food packagingResin for interior and exterior parts of vehicles | From August 4, 2025. |
| Methoxychlor | Organochlorine pesticide, which has historically been used as an insecticide in agricultural and veterinary settings, as well as in the domestic environmentUsed as an insecticide combating a wide range of pests including biting flies, houseflies, mosquito larvae, cockroaches, and chiggers.It has commonly been used in both agricultural and veterinary practices, for example for treating field crops, vegetables, fruits, stored grains, livestock, pets, homes, gardens, lakes, and marshes. | October 17, 2024. |
| Dechlorane Plus | Flame retardant used as a modifier for thermoplastic plastics such as NylonCables and wires in motor vehiclesConsumer electronicsElectrical and electronic equipment (EEE)Flame retardant in adhesives, polymers and sealantsMarine, garden, forestry, agriculture and construction machineryMedical and radiotherapy applications | Official publication expected soon. |
For more details on the POP Regulation refer to the article in ProductIPedia.
