Defra: Call For Information On Substances Proposed As Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops)
Deadline: 29 November 2026

The UK is a party to the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which are substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms, pose a risk to our health and the environment, and have the potential for long range environmental transport across international borders. 

The Convention’s POPs Review Committee has requested information on several substances that have been proposed as potential new POPs for global prohibition. Defra are mirroring these calls for information to generate evidence from UK stakeholders.

Defra encourages stakeholders to share as early as possible any information about socioeconomic impacts of these chemicals and their potential global prohibition. This includes information on production, use, presence in articles, and potential alternatives.

Information has been requested for the following substances:

• Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) and its related substance 1,1’-ethane-1,2-diylbisbenzene, brominated, a brominated flame retardant which was proposed as a POP in 2026
• Bis (2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) and any of its isomers, a brominated flame retardant which was proposed as a POP in 2026
• Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs), proposed as a POP in 2024

Submit your comments
Download an information submission form on GOV.UK

The deadline for submitting comments is 29 November 2026. 

Please send your completed forms and any information or queries to the Defra POPS team at POPs@defra.gov.u
Further information about POPs is available on GOV.UK

 

Source: HSE