The EU has adopted the draft on the adjustment of PBDEs limits for POPs

On 24 July 2025, the European Commission adopted a draft act to reduce the limits of PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in Annex I of POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The EU will subsequently publish the officially revised regulations in its official journal, which shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication.

The main contents of the current regulation and the draft act are as follows:

PBDEs:

PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) as typical persistent organic pollutants, possess strong persistence, bioaccumulation and high toxicity, posing serious hazards to the ecological environment and human health. They have been used as flame retardants in a wide range of products including electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and foams. In addition, PBDEs occur in recovered materials and products made from recovered materials, including toys, hair accessories, kitchen utensils and other products for the general public too.