POP Regulation

The POP Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1021) strictly prohibits or restricts the production and use of "Persistent Organic Pollutants" (POPs) in the European Union. Unlike RoHS, which applies only to electronics, the POP Regulation applies to all products, including heavy industrial machinery. These substances—often called "forever chemicals"—do not break down in the environment and bioaccumulate in human tissue.

For North American machinery manufacturers, the most common risks involve specific flame retardants (like DecaBDE) found in plastic cables, or Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) frequently used in industrial lubricants, rubber seals, and paints.

While REACH Regulation focuses on registering and managing chemical risks, the POP Regulation generally seeks total elimination. Compliance is a strict condition for Placing on the Market. If your machinery contains banned POPs above "Unintentional Trace Contaminant" (UTC) levels, it cannot legally enter the EU, and you may face mandatory destruction orders for the affected equipment.

Verifying compliance requires deep supply chain visibility. You must collect Supplier Declarations confirming the absence of these specific substances. Evidence of this due diligence must be retained in your Technical File, ensuring you can prove conformity if challenged by Trading Standards or customs authorities.