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Eu approves revision of POPs Regulation to determine hexachlorobenzene limits
On 23 November 2022, the Official Journal of the European Union published a notice concerning the requirement for revision of the limit values of hexachlorobenzene in Annex I to the Commission's Authorisation Regulation (EU) 202/2291 on Persistent Organic Pollutants (EU) 2019/1021 (POPs regulation).
Hachlorobenzene is listed in Annex I of the POPs Regulation and no accidental trace pollutant (UTC) limits were set prior to the amendment.
In accordance with Article 3 (1) of the POPs Regulation, the manufacture, use and placing on the market of the substances listed in Annex I of the POPS Regulation, whether used alone or in mixtures or articles, are prohibited.
The main purpose of this amendment to the existing provisions of Annex I to the Authorization Act is to adapt them to scientific and technological progress. At the same time, the Commission has determined that hexachlorobenzene exists primarily as impurities in such materials as pesticides, chlorinated solvents, inks, paints, paints and toners, wood, textiles and plastics.
In order to clarify the legal situation regarding the presence of hexachlorobenzene in substances, mixtures or articles as trace contaminants for unintentional use and to facilitate enforcement, the Committee decided to set the UTC limit for hexachlorobenzene at 10 mg/kg (0.001%).
POPs is Regulation No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (EC), which was promulgated in 2004 to bring POPS commonly used in industrial and consumer products under regulatory control. On 25 June 2019, the EU issued a new POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, which came into force on 15 July 2019. The original regulation (EC) No 850/2004 was repealed.
They are regulated to protect the environment and human health, taking into account the dangers of pops and promoting their elimination and reduction.
The objects of control are mainly organic substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a threat to our health and the environment, such as pesticides, flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds and so on.