EU Lowered PBDEs Limit in POPs Regulation
| Targeted audience | EU/EEA manufacturers, EU/EEA importers and their upstream providers |
| Products concerned | Consumer products (substances, mixtures, articles) |
| Key industries concerned with this insight | Toys |
| Application date | 17 November 2025 |
| Main content or requirements | On 28 October 2025, the EU amended the POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 and modified five bromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) content limit in mixtures or articles from 500 mg/kg (0.05%) (sum) to 10 mg/kg (0.001%) (sum) |
| Reference | http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/1482/oj |
On 28 October 2025, the European Commission published Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1482 to amend Annex I to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as regards five entries of bromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Five bromodiphenyl ethers, that are, tetraBDE, pentaBDE, hexaBDE, heptaBDE and decaBDE content limit in mixtures or articles is lowered from 500 mg/kg (0.05%) to 10 mg/kg (0.001%) (sum) from 17 November 2025.
For mixtures or articles containing or made of recovered materials, the five PBDEs content limit will be 350 mg/kg (0.035%) (sum) from 30 December 2025, and a further 200 mg/kg (0.02%) (sum) from 30 December 2027.
For toys subject to the EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (TSD) or products facilitating children’s seating, sleep, relaxation, hygiene, changing and general body care, feeding, sucking, transportation and protection, containing or made of recovered materials, the five PBDEs content limit will be 350 mg/kg (0.035%) (sum) from 30 December 2025, and a further 10 mg/kg (0.001%) (sum) from 17 May 2027.
The restriction does not apply to the food contact materials subject to EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
PBDEs were used as flame retardants in a wide range of products including electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and foams. PBDEs were found detected in recovered materials and products made from recovered materials, including toys, hair accessories, kitchen utensils and other products for the general public.
Note:
Annex I: Substances prohibited to be used for manufacturing, placing on the market and use
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