Call for information on substances proposed as POPs

Deadline: 29 November 2024

The UK is a party to the United Nations’ Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These are substances that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. They pose a risk to our health and the environment and can be transported by air, water or migratory species across international borders, reaching regions where they have never been produced or used. 

Additional information is requested for the following substances:

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs).

There is currently no known intentional manufacture of PBDD/Fs, they are unintentionally generated through thermal processes involving brominated flame retardants (BFRs) including the uncontrolled burning of waste containing BFRs.

The requested information will be used to feed into a draft Risk Profile (as specified in Annex E of the Stockholm Convention). Defra have also asked for additional information relating to any socioeconomic factors linked to these substances in anticipation of future calls for information, should the Risk Profile be agreed.  

Further details and information submission forms for Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans can be found on GOV.UK.

Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) 

This invitation serves as a further opportunity to present additional information relating to the production, use, social and economic impacts of any control measures under consideration for chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17.

This follows previous opportunities to submit information on these substances with specific chlorination levels (45% and above), and explicitly expands the invitation to include any chlorinated paraffins in the range C14-17, regardless of chlorination level.  

These are the principal constituents of substances called ‘medium-chain chlorinated paraffins’ (MCCPs) in Europe, North America, Australia and major constituents of several products manufactured in Asia (for example, CP-52). 

Further details and information submission forms for medium chain chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17 can be found on GOV.UK. 

Completed information submission forms and/or queries should be directed to the Defra POPS team at  POPs@defra.gov.uk