UK Guidance on Using Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

"On April 17, 2025, the UK Environment Agency updated the guidance on using persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This guidance emphasize on list of POPs, general exceptions to the ban on POPs, specific exceptions to the ban on POPs and storing and disposing of POPs. 1. List of POPs- Endosulfan, Tetrabromodiphenyl ether, Pentabromodiphenyl ether, Hexabromodiphenyl ether, Heptabromodiphenyl ether, Bis(pentabromophenyl) ether (decabromodiphenyl ether, decaBDE), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and PFOS derivatives, DDT, Chlordane, Hexachlorocyclohexanes, including lindane, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Chlordecone, Aldrin, Pentachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Mirex, Toxaphene, Hexabromobiphenyl, Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), Hexachlorobutadiene, Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters, Polychlorinated naphthalenes, Alkanes C10-C13, chloro (short-chain chlorinated paraffins) (SCCPs), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds. UK regulations allow limited use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under specific exceptions. POPs can be used for lab research, as reference standards, or if present as unintentional trace contaminants below set thresholds. Exceptions apply to substances like BDEs, PFOS, PFOA, SCCPs, and HBCD in certain products (e.g. electronics, building materials, or fire-fighting foams). Legacy use is permitted if items were in use before specific cut-off dates. Some exemptions require labelling or best available techniques to reduce emissions. POPs not in use must be properly stored or disposed."