Draft evaluations of substances proposed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Requesting comments on draft Stockholm Convention proposals for 3 chemical substances.
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The UK is a Party to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a risk to our health and the environment. They can be transported by air, water or migratory species across international borders, reaching regions where they have never been produced or used.
Substances listed in the Convention are generally prohibited from production, marketing or use unless exemptions apply or specific acceptable purposes have been agreed.
There is a process for parties to propose a substance for listing if they have gathered evidence that suggests it may be a POP. The POPs Review Committee (POPRC), the technical scientific committee of the Stockholm Convention, then considers and further develops the evidence that the substance demonstrates POP characteristics. If there is evidence that it is a POP, they then consider the socio and economic impacts of a ban or restriction and make recommendations to the Stockholm Convention Conference of Parties, which is held every 2 years.
The POPRC has requested information on the Draft Risk Profiles (Annex E) review for UV-328 and Dechlorane Plus and the draft Risk Management Evaluation (Annex F) for Methoxychlor; These substances have been proposed for listing under the Convention as POPS.
We invite you to comment on the following:
Risk profiles (covering Annex E of the Stockholm Convention)
The POPRC has drafted Risk Profiles that further elaborate on, and evaluate, the information submitted in original proposals that recommended the substances listed below be restricted as POPs.
A risk profile sets out the evidence that these substances meet the criteria for a POP. We are interested in any information you have to support or challenge the evidence provided.
There is an opportunity to provide socio and economic information at a later stage in the listing process, but we would also be interested in any information on risk management measures, alternatives, costs and benefits related to the use of the substances and justified requests for exemptions if no alternatives are available.
UV-328 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(2-methylbutan-2-yl)phenol
UV-328 is a type of chemical compound called a phenolic benzotriazole. It is used as an ultraviolet (UV) absorber to protect surfaces from discoloration and degradation under sunlight. This substance is used in products including: coating products, air care products, adhesives and sealants, additive to plastics, personal care products such as sunscreens, lubricants and greases, polishes and waxes and washing and cleaning products.
Other releases to the environment of this substance are likely to occur from: indoor use (for example, machine wash liquids or detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, indoor use in closed systems with minimal release (for example cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters) and outdoor use in closed systems with minimal release (for example, hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Dechlorane Plus, with its syn- and anti-isomers
Dechlorane plus is a polychlorinated flame retardant that has been in use since the 1960’s. Uses include as an additive flame retardant in electrical wire and cable coatings, plastic roofing materials, connectors in TV and computer monitors, and as a non-plasticizing flame retardant in polymeric systems, such as nylon and polypropylene plastic.
An earlier Risk Profile was reviewed at the POPRC meeting in January 2021 and it was decided that more information on adverse effects was needed. This is an updated version.
Risk Management Evaluation (covering Annex F of the Stockholm Convention)
The POPRC has agreed the risk profile (Annex E) for the following substance and now wishes to develop a Risk Management Evaluation that provides information on the socio and economic impacts of any control measures under consideration for this substance. Comments are therefore invited on alternatives, impacts on society, efficiency and efficacy of proposed control measures, costs and waste disposal.
Methoxychlor
Methoxychlor is an organochlorine pesticide which has been used as an insecticide on a range of pests on field crops, vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, livestock and pests. Methoxychlor has not been used in the UK since 2004 and is already prohibited in the UK and EU under Regulations on the manufacture and use of pesticides.
The chemical, however, has the potential to travel long distances, far from the place of release, therefore it is considered that action at a global level is needed to protect human health and the environment.
The completed Risk Profile can be found at Annex E
Comments
Comments were invited for an eight-week period between 23 April and 18 June 2021. No comments were received.