EU - Plans to Set a Limit for Hexachlorobenzene under POP Regulation

​The EU Commission drafted a delegated regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation by adding a new limit for hexachlorobenzene.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is listed in Annex I to the POPs Regulation without an Unintentional Trace Contaminant (UTC) limit value. HCB was mainly used in the EU as pesticide. At the time of the listing in the POPs Regulation in 2004, it was considered that no limit value was needed because it was not expected to find HCB in substances, mixtures or articles except in pesticides. However, HCB is known to be formed as a by-product during the manufacture of other chemicals (mainly chlorinated solvents) and pesticides, and in the waste streams of chloralkali plants and wood-preserving processes. Moreover, it is also known that the main use of substances containing HCB as a constituent or impurity relate to use in inks, coatings, paints and toners, use in wood application, in textile application and in plastics.

Therefore, the Commission proposed a UTC limit of 10 mg/kg (0.001% by weight) for hexachlorobenzene in substances, mixtures or articles.

This draft act is open for feedback for 4 weeks until December 6, 2021.