Open consultation

Amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation 2026

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 18 March 2026

Summary

Seeking views on proposed changes to the POPs Regulation, including drafted legislation to prohibit 5 new POPs.

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 13 May 2026

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about draft legislation to add 5 new POPs to a list of prohibited substances in Annex I of the assimilated POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021:

• Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs)
• Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs)
• UV-328
• Dechlorane Plus (DP)
• Chlorpyrifos

In addition, we want your comments on:

• proposed changes to an existing entry for the already-prohibited POP, perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS)
• potential implications of recent EU amendments to an existing entry for the already-prohibited POP, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
• evaluation processes, evidence generation, and engagement regarding substances considered as potential new POPs under the Stockholm Convention

We would also like you to provide evidence on potential implications of recent or upcoming amendments to the EU POPs Regulation, which applies in Northern Ireland, as well as the potential suitability of equivalent amendments being implemented in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

For more information and guidance on POPs, see the POPs collection page.

Published 18 March 2026