SUMMARY

• The European Commission adopted a delegated act amending the EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation to add medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the list of prohibited substances.

MORE INFORMATION

• Scope of the restriction: once applicable, it will generally prohibit the manufacture, placing on the market and use of MCCPs, subject to specific time-limited exemptions. It also sets an unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit of 0.1% by weight, applicable to substances, mixtures and articles.
• Possible applications: relevant materials may include rubber and flexible PVC components, adhesives and sealants, waterproof or anti-corrosion coatings, and coated synthetic materials. Potentially affected products could include footwear soles and synthetic uppers, inflatable balls, sports bags, protective equipment, mats, grips, and coated or waterproof textile products.
• Exemptions: certain waterproof and anti-corrosion coatings benefit from a two-year transitional exemption, with the restriction applying to these uses from 16 December 2028.

NEXT STEPS

• The delegated act is now subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council.
• If neither institution objects, it will be published in the Official Journal and will apply from 16 December 2026.