A Commission Delegated Regulation published by the Council on 2 July 2026 amends the EU's Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation to add chlorpyrifos to Annex I, effectively banning its production, use, import, and export across the European Union. The regulation follows the substance's listing under the Stockholm Convention at the twelfth Conference of the Parties in April–May 2025 and aligns EU law with international obligations to eliminate this persistent organic pollutant.
The delegated regulation, based on Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, adds chlorpyrifos to Part A of Annex I without specific exemptions, reflecting that the substance is already not approved as an active substance in plant protection or biocidal products under EU law. It also establishes a limit value for chlorpyrifos occurring as an unintentional trace contaminant in substances, mixtures, and articles, reinforcing enforcement of the prohibition under Article 3(1). The amendment implements the Stockholm Convention decision SC-12/9.
Policy Orientations and Trade-offs The regulation prioritises human health and environmental protection by eliminating a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance. However, it imposes compliance costs on industry and Member State authorities, who must ensure that products and waste streams containing chlorpyrifos as a trace contaminant stay below the new limit value. The absence of exemptions means that any remaining uses—such as in legacy equipment or imported goods—are effectively prohibited, which may require additional monitoring and enforcement resources.
Stakeholder Impact EU producers and importers of chemicals, pesticides, and related products face a clear ban on chlorpyrifos, with no transitional period for existing stocks. EU waste management operators must ensure that waste containing chlorpyrifos is treated in accordance with POPs destruction or irreversible transformation standards. National authorities in EU member states gain a clearer enforcement tool via the trace contaminant limit, but may face increased administrative burden for monitoring and compliance checks. EU consumers and the general public benefit from reduced exposure to a hazardous substance, aligning with broader EU chemicals safety goals.
Institutional Follow-up The regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States must ensure compliance with the new provisions, and the European Commission may issue further guidance on the trace contaminant limit and enforcement. The European Parliament and Council retain scrutiny rights over delegated acts, though no objections have been raised during the examination period.