What is the POPs Regulation?
What are Persistent Organic Pollutants?
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical substances that resist natural degradation and remain in the environment for long periods of time. Due to their persistence, they can travel over long distances and may accumulate in living organisms and the food chain. In this way, POPs can pose significant risks to both human health and ecosystems, even at very low concentrations.
POPs have been used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications, including pesticides, flame retardants, plastic additives, coatings, textiles, and electrical or electronic equipment. Their ability to persist, bioaccumulate, and spread globally makes them a major environmental concern that requires international cooperation and regulation.
What is the POPs Regulation?
The POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 is designed to eliminate or restrict the production, use, import, export, and release of Persistent Organic Pollutants within the European Union. The regulation implements the objectives of the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty established to reduce and eliminate hazardous persistent chemicals worldwide.
The regulation also addresses waste management (end-of-life) and trace contamination in supply chains and materials. Even unintentional trace contamination may be restricted if it exceeds applicable threshold values. The list of restricted substances is regularly updated in line with new scientific and technical information.
Who must comply with the POPs Regulation?
The POPs regulation applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and users of products that may contain regulated POP substances.
Companies placing products on the EU market are responsible for ensuring compliance with the applicable concentration limits and restrictions throughout the supply chain. This requires cooperation between suppliers, manufacturers, and importers to ensure full material transparency.
POPs can be found in both virgin and recycled materials, making supply chain transparency essential. Products containing restricted POP substances may not only be non-compliant for placing on the EU market but can also create challenges in end-of-life treatment, including recycling and waste management.
Ensuring compliance helps reduce environmental pollution, supports sustainable product design, and contributes to the protection of human health and ecosystems worldwide.
At Sentera, we are committed to complying with Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Through supplier declarations, material compliance assessments, and ongoing regulatory monitoring, we strive to maintain a responsible and fully compliant supply chain.