UK Proposes Amendments to POPs Regulation, Restricting Five New Chemicals

On April 29, 2026, the United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of draft legislation to amend the assimilated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1021). The draft "Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026" will prohibit the use, manufacture, and placing on the market of five additional chemicals, while updating existing limits for Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The regulatory changes are proposed to enter into force on December 16, 2026.