On September 27, 2024, the European Commission published two amendments to the EU POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 in the Official Journal: (EU) 2024/2555 and (EU) 2024/2570. The new regulations reduce the unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit for the existing substance hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg and introduce control requirements for methoxychlor, thereby expanding the list of banned substances under the EU POPs Regulation from 29 to 30 items. These regulations will officially come into effect on the 20th day following the publication in the Official Journal.

The following is the detail information:

Substance Name	CAS No.	EC No.	Specific exemption situations (maximum allowable limit)
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)	25637-99-4 3194-55-6 134237-50-6 134237-51-7 134237-52-8	247-148-4 221-695-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 75 mg/kg (0,0075 % by weight) where it is present in substances, mixtures, articles or as constituents of the flame-retarded articles. For the use of recycled polystyrene in the production of EPS and XPS insulation material for use in buildings or civil engineering works, point (b) shall apply to concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane equal to or below 100 mg/kg (0,01 % by weight). The exemptions laid down in this point 1 shall be reviewed and assessed by the Commission by 1 January 2026   2. Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 4(2) apply to the following situations: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) products containing HBCDD that were already in use in buildings before February 21, 2018, in accordance with Directives (EU) 2016/293 and 2016/C12/06, and Extruded polystyrene (XPS) products containing HBCDD that were already in use in buildings before June 23, 2016, may continue to be used.   3. Without prejudice to the other relevant provisions of the EU regarding the classification, packaging, and labeling of substances and mixtures, expanded polystyrene (EPS) products containing HBCDD that are placed on the market after March 23, 2016, shall be marked by labeling or other means of identification throughout their entire life cycle.
Methoxychlor	72-43-5, 30667-99-3, 76733-77-2, 255065-25-9, 255065-26-0, 59424-81-6, 1348358-72-4	200-779-9	For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of methoxychlor equal to or below 0,01 mg/kg (0,000001 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles.’

Sources:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2555&qid=1727668860752

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2570&qid=1727669655000

On 30 July 2024, the EU submitted to the WTO Circular G/TBT/N/EU/1079 proposing amendments to Annex XVII of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 to add restrictions on N,N-dimethylacetamine (DMAC) and N-ethylpyrrolidone (NEP). Specific proposed revisions are as follows:

Substance name	No.	Update details
N, N-dimethylacetamide  (DMAC)	CAS No.  127-19- 5  EC No.  204- 826-4	1. 18 months after the entry into force of this regulation, it shall not be placed on the market as a single substance, as a component of other substances, or in a mixture at a concentration equal to or greater than 0.3% unless manufacturers, importers, and downstream users comply with relevant chemical safety regulations. Reports and safety data sheets contain no-effect levels (DNELs) for workers’ long-term inhalation exposure (13 mg/m³) and long-term dermal exposure (1.8 mg/kg body weight/day). 2. 18 months after the entry into force of this regulation, it shall not be manufactured or used as a single substance, a component of other substances, or in a mixture with a concentration equal to or greater than 0.3% unless the manufacturer and downstream users take appropriate risk management measures. And provide appropriate operating conditions to ensure worker exposure levels are below the DNELs specified in Article 1. 3. As an exception to Articles 1 and 2, with regard to the placing on the market or use as solvents for the production of man-made fibers, the relevant obligations apply 48 months after the entry into force of this Regulation.
1-ethylpyrrolidin- 2-one (NEP)	CAS No.  2687- 91-4   EC No.  220- 250-6	1. 18 months after the entry into force of this regulation, it shall not be placed on the market as a single substance, as a component of other substances, or in a mixture at a concentration equal to or greater than 0.3% unless manufacturers, importers, and downstream users have notified themselves in the relevant chemical safety reports and safety reports. The information sheet contains no effect levels (DNELs) for workers’ long-term inhalation exposure (4.0 mg/m³) and long-term dermal exposure (2.4 mg/kg body weight/day). 2. 18 months after the entry into force of this regulation, it shall not be manufactured or used as a single substance, as a component of other substances, or in a mixture at a concentration equal to or greater than 0.3%, unless the manufacturer and downstream users take appropriate risk management measures and provide appropriate operating conditions to ensure that workers’ exposure levels are lower than those specified in Article 1.