Proposed “POP” Regulation update will reduce limits for certain chlorinated and certain FRs in recycled wastes. Consultation was open to 23rd December 2021. The objective is to improve protection for human health and the environment from ‘POP’ (persistent organic pollutants) listed in the Stockholm Convention, including a number of chlorinated and brominated flame retardants, whilst at the same time enabling the circular economy by tolerating low levels of these substances in recycled materials. The proposed amendments to the existing POP Regulation (2019/1021) lower the limits of POP substances which define whether wastes can go to recycling, or whether they must be disposed of in such a way as to eliminate the POP. Amongst other substances concerned by the amendments, limits are introduced for PFOAS (art. 7 annex IV) and limits for SCCPs (short chain chlorinated paraffins) are reduced from 10 000 to 1 500 mg/kg, PBDEs (sum including Deca-) from 1 000 to 500 then after 5 years to 200 mg/kg, and HBCD from 1 000 to 500 mg/kg. Additionally, in the limit values for wastes for pre-treatment DecaBDE is now included in the sum of PBDEs (was not previously included, the limit for sum of PBDEs is unchanged at 10 000 mg/kg).
POPs Regulation 2019/1021, consolidated: https://echa.europa.eu/fr/pops-legislation
EU consultation on proposed Regulation amendment COM(2021)656 final, 28th October 2021, open to 23rd December 2021 “Hazardous waste – updated concentration limits for chemical pollutants” https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12411-Dechets-dangereux-mise-a-jour-des-limites-de-concentration-pour-les-polluants-chimiques_fr