On 18 August 2020, the European Commission has published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1203 and 2020/1204 to amend Part A of Annex I to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 regard perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS) and dicofol. The amendments shall enter into force on 7 September 2020. The followings ae the highlight:

Amendments to the entry of PFOS, point 4 of “Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification”

1. First paragraph shall be amended as following:

If the quantity released into the environment is minimised, manufacturing and placing on the market shall be allowed until 7 September 2025 for use as mist suppressant for non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating in closed loop systems. Provided that those Member States where PFOS is used report to the Commission by 7 September 2024 on progress made to eliminate PFOS and justify the continuing need for this use, the Commission shall review the need for a prolongation of the derogation for this use of PFOS for a maximum of five years by 7 September 2025.

2. Third paragraph shall be deleted.

New addition of dicofol
New entry of the substance “dicofol” (CAS No: 115-32-2, EC No: 204-082-0) shall be added to Part A of Annex I, without any specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification.

Note
Annex I: Substances prohibited to be used for manufacturing, placing on the market and use.