ECHA calls for comments on proposal to classify chlorpyrifos as a persistent organic pollutant

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the draft risk management evaluation for chlorpyrifos, a pesticide proposed for listing as persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention. Interested parties are invited to submit comments by 8 May 2024.

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide widely used as an agricultural insecticide and as a biocide to control non-agricultural pests, is under international scrutiny due to its potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. It is used globally, although 15 countries plus the EU have completely banned its use of chlorpyrifos, and reviews are ongoing in other countries. Major production centres include China, India, Brazil, the US and the EU.

Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention, a global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the effects of 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 across international borders by air, water or by migratory species, 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. 

At its nineteenth meeting in October 2023, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) adopted a risk profile and decided that chlorpyrifos is likely to cause significant adverse human health and environmental effects, as a result of its long-range environmental transport and that global action is therefore warranted.

Review and Comment

To access the Risk Management Evaluation document and provide valuable feedback, interested stakeholder are encouraged to visit the designated webpage here.