Global · Draft / Proposal
POPRC.22 considers proposals to globally restrict/eliminate DBDPE (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.22/3) and TBPH (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.22/4) by listing them under the Stockholm Convention. The meeting also covers an evaluation of continued-need exemptions for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (/5); an indicative list of substances covered by the PFOA, PFHxS and long-chain PFCA listings (/7); follow-up on POPs in stockpiles, products and articles (/8); the global monitoring plan (/9); and the intersessional workplan (/10).
Substances / Products in Scope
POPRC.22 considers proposals to globally restrict/eliminate DBDPE (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.22/3) and TBPH (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.22/4) by listing them under the Stockholm Convention. The meeting also covers an evaluation of continued-need exemptions for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (/5); an indicative list of substances covered by the PFOA, PFHxS and long-chain PFCA listings (/7); follow-up on POPs in stockpiles, products and articles (/8); the global monitoring plan (/9); and the intersessional workplan (/10). New: first formal Stockholm Convention listing consideration for DBDPE and TBPH (both used partly as replacements for already-restricted brominated flame retardants such as decaBDE/HBCD). The PFAS items are reviews/clarifications of substances already listed (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, long-chain PFCAs), not new bans.
Key Dates & Compliance Timeline
- Official Publish/Release Date: May 8, 2026
- Effective Date: None yet — committee documents only. Any binding effect arises later via Conference of the Parties (COP) adoption, then transposition into the EU POPs Regulation and national law (typically 1–3 years after COP).
- Public Comment Period: The Convention runs calls for information per substance through the POPRC process. Specific submission windows are announced on the POPRC “Call for information” pages.
- Compliance Deadline: None yet. Watch the POPRC recommendation, then COP decision; EU transposition into Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 would set the actual compliance dates.
Regulatory Status
- No prohibitions or restrictions are enacted by these documents.
- POPRC evaluates substances and issues recommendations.
- Future Annex A or Annex B listings would be decided by the Conference of the Parties (COP).
- Binding obligations would follow implementation through EU and national POPs legislation.
Who Is Affected
- Manufacturers, importers, formulators and downstream users of DBDPE- or TBPH-containing substances, mixtures and articles.
- Recyclers and waste handlers of flame-retarded materials.
- Automotive, electronics and textile industries using brominated flame retardants.
- PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and long-chain PFCA stakeholders for exemption and scope reviews.
What Companies Should Do
- Screen products and supply chains for DBDPE and TBPH, particularly flame-retarded electronics, plastics, textiles and automotive applications.
- Engage suppliers for material disclosure.
- Identify alternatives early given the regulatory trajectory of brominated flame retardants.
- Monitor the POPRC.22 outcome, subsequent COP decisions and EU POPs Regulation amendments.
- Review existing PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFCA compliance against the updated indicative substance lists.
This medium-priority update affects automotive OEMs and suppliers with operations or sales exposure globally. Compliance and product stewardship teams should review applicability against current BOMs and supply agreements, and note the compliance dates above.
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