1.Latest control updates
On June 30, 2026, the European Commission officially passed the authorization regulation (C (2026) 4428 final), listing Chlorpyrifos (CAS number: 2921-88-2) in Part A of Annex I of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (hereinafter referred to as the "POPs Regulation"), specifying a limit of 0.01mg/kg (0.000001% by weight) for Chlorpyrifos as an unintentional trace pollutant in substances, mixtures, and articles.
The revised regulation will come into effect on the 20th day from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and will have direct binding force on all member states.
2.Risk Reminder and Response Suggestions
1. Any product exported to the European Union (including chemical raw materials, plastic products, textiles, electronic and electrical products, packaging materials, etc.) that exceeds the threshold for chlorpyrifos will no longer be exempt from the exemption treatment for unintentional trace pollutants under Article 4 (1) (b) and face compliance risks of being prohibited from being released into the EU market.
2.Due to the fact that chlorpyrifos has not been approved for use as an active substance in the European Union under the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and the Biocidal Agents Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, its inclusion in the POPs Regulation does not come with specific exemptions, meaning that companies cannot apply for a "transition period" or "special use permit" to continue using or selling products containing chlorpyrifos.
3. Medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) included in the revised draft of the POPs Regulation at the same time as chlorpyrifos are still under review.
It is recommended that enterprises initiate supply chain traceability, investigate potential unintentional trace pollution risks, and update testing reports and related technical documents.
3.Global persistent organic pollutants (POPs) regulation continues to tighten
Under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the international community concluded the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (hereinafter referred to as the "Stockholm Convention") in 2001, and China was one of the first countries to sign the convention.
In May 2025, at the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (COP-12), Annex A officially added Chlorpyrifos, medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs).
Compared to the Stockholm Convention, the EU POPs Regulation not only inherits the complete list of controlled substances, but also sets stricter standards in some areas and establishes a timetable for accelerating the phase out of related substances.
The global POPs list is in a dynamic state of change. Once officially included in the Stockholm Convention, the EU will quickly initiate internal legislative procedures to add them to the annexes of EU POPs regulations and develop corresponding limits and control measures.
