EU: Regulation on revised limits for POPs in waste adopted

On October 24, 2022, EU regulation to reduce limit values for the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in waste was adopted. Waste from consumer products such as waterproof textiles, furniture, plastics, and electronic equipment releases POPs. The regulation specifies new concentration limits for POPs such as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and related compounds (found in waterproof textiles and fire-fighting foams), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardants found in plastics and textiles used in electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles and furniture), Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (flame retardant found in some plastic and textile waste, particularly in polystyrene insulation from demolition of buildings), Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) (flame retardants found in some rubber and plastic waste, such as rubber conveyor belts, hoses, cables and seals), Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) (impurities in certain ashes and in other industrial waste), Dioxin-like PCBs – similar to dioxins (present as impurities in some ashes and industrial oils), Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and its salts and related compounds (found in textiles, non-stick cookware and fire-fighting foams).