DEFRA calls for information on Persistent Organic Pollutants

On 10 November 2023, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a call for information on a number of proposed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in advance of a meeting of the POPs Review Committee (POPRC). DEFRA is seeking information on chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs).

Stockholm Convention

The UK is a party to the UN Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a risk to human health and the environment. POPs can be transported by air, water or by migratory species across international borders, reaching regions where they have never been produced or used. The substances listed in the Convention are generally banned from production, marketing or use, unless specific exemptions or acceptable purposes for continued use are agreed. 

There is a process for Parties to propose a substance for listing if they have gathered evidence suggesting that it may be a POP. The technical scientific committee of the Stockholm Convention (POPRC) will then consider reviews and further develop the evidence that the substance has POP characteristics. 

If there is evidence that a substance has POP characteristics, the POPRC then considers the social and economic impacts of banning or restricting that substance and makes recommendations to the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention, which is held every 2 years. 

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide widely used as an insecticide in agriculture and as a biocide to control non-agricultural pests. Chlorpyrifos was banned in the UK in 2016 and in the EU in 2020.  

The POPRC has requested additional information on the socio-economic considerations for chlorpyrifos to support the preparation of a risk management evaluation as specified in Annex F of the Stockholm Convention. The deadline for comments is 24 November 2023 and the request form should be sent to POPs@defra.gov.uk.

Medium chain chlorinated paraffins

Chlorinated paraffins are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride, as extreme pressure additives in metal-machining fluids, as additives to paints, coatings, and sealants to improve their resistance to chemicals and to water, and as flame retardants for plastics, fabrics, paints, and coatings.

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were recommended for listing as POPs under the Stockholm Convention at the 19^th meeting of the POPRC (POPRC-19) in October 2023. The Committee decided to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to consider listing chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14–17 and chlorination levels of 45 % chlorine by weight or more in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions for some applications.

The Committee has invited Parties and observers to provide information that would assist it in the possible strengthening of the recommendations. The deadline is 24 January 2024 and the information submission forms for MCCPs can be found here.

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and precursors have water, oil, dirt and grease repellent properties and can be found in a wide range of products, including personal care products, cleaning products, and surface treatments for textiles, upholstery, leather, automotive parts, carpet and paper products, and packaging. They belong to the group of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). 

The POPRC has adopted the Risk Management Evaluation of LC-PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds, and recommended that the substances be listed for elimination in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention. The Committee invited Parties and observers to provide information that would assist in the possible definition of specific exemptions for the production and use of LC-PFCAs, their salts and related compounds. The deadline for comments is 24 January 2024 and the information submission forms for LC-PFCAs can be found here.