EU plans to set limits for HCB under POP regulations
Release time: 2021-11-30 Reading: 27 times
The European Commission has drafted an enabling regulation to amend Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation) by adding new limits for hexachlorobenzene.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is listed in Annex I of the POPs regulation with no unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit. HCB is mainly used as a pesticide in the EU. At the time of listing in the 2004 POPs Regulations, it was considered that no limit was required because HCB was not expected to be found in substances, mixtures or articles other than pesticides. However, HCB is known to be formed as a by-product in the manufacture of other chemicals (mainly chlorinated solvents) and pesticides, and in waste streams from chlor-alkali plants and wood preservation processes. Furthermore, it is well known that the major uses of substances containing hexachlorobenzene as an ingredient or impurity involve use in inks, coatings, paints and toners, wood applications, textile applications and plastics.
Therefore, the Committee recommends a UTC limit of 10 mg/kg (0.001% by weight) for HCB in substances, mixtures or articles.
The draft bill will be open for feedback within 4 weeks until December 6, 2021.
