Experts conclude brominated dioxins and furans may require global action and advance two widely used flame retardants to the next stage of review under the Stockholm Convention
Geneva, Switzerland, 28 September 2026 – A United Nations scientific committee has taken significant steps toward stronger global action on hazardous chemicals that can persist in the environment, travel across borders and pose risks to human health and ecosystems.
At its twenty-second meeting in Rome, held from 21 to 25 September 2026, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants advanced the scientific assessment of three sets of chemicals of international concern.
In its most significant decision, the Committee concluded that polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) are likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to cause significant adverse effects on human health and the environment, and therefore warrant consideration for global action.
PBDD/Fs are not intentionally manufactured. They are formed unintentionally through a range of processes, particularly the production, use, recycling and thermal treatment of materials containing brominated flame retardants. They can also be formed during combustion and other industrial thermal processes, including waste incineration, open burning and metal production.
The Committee noted that additional scientific work is still needed to assess a related group of substances known as mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs), for which differing scientific views remain regarding key uncertainties.
“The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee provides the scientific foundation for decisions on global action to protect human health and the environment. This week's work demonstrates the importance of rigorous scientific review.”- Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
The decision marks an important milestone in the Stockholm Convention's science-based review process. The Committee will now prepare a risk management evaluation examining potential control measures, and their socio-economic implications. Should the Committee later recommend listing PBDD/Fs under Annex C to the Convention, which addresses unintentionally produced and released persistent organic pollutants, the recommendation could be considered by the governing body of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties, in 2029.
Two flame retardants move to next review stage
The Committee also agreed that proposals to list two brominated flame retardants, decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), meet the Convention's initial screening criteria.
Both chemicals will now proceed to the next stage of review, during which detailed risk profiles will be developed to assess whether they are likely to require global action under the Stockholm Convention. The Committee will consider those assessments at its next meeting (POPRC.23) in 2027.
“This meeting marks important progress in our scientific assessment of chemicals of global concern. Our work on brominated dioxins and furans, as well as on newly proposed flame retardants, demonstrates the Committee's commitment to carefully evaluating the scientific evidence and providing a sound basis for global action under the Stockholm Convention.”- Magdalena Frydrych (Poland), Interim Chair of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.
Progress on PFOS exemptions
The Committee also completed its evaluation of PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, substances which have been restricted under the Stockholm Convention since 2009.
Based on available information, the Committee concluded that the remaining specific exemptions allowing the use of PFOS in closed-loop hard-metal plating systems and in certain firefighting foams are no longer necessary. It recommended that these exemptions be removed from the Convention. The recommendation will be considered by the Conference of the Parties at its thirteenth meeting in 2027.
The Committee further recommended retaining the specific exemption permitting PFOI to be used in the production of PFOB for pharmaceutical applications, noting that no viable alternative has yet been identified.
Strengthening chemical transparency
In addition to evaluating individual chemicals, the Committee advanced work to strengthen the information used in risk management evaluations. Discussions focused on enhancing stakeholder engagement and improving the transparency and traceability of chemicals throughout their life cycle, from production and use to recycling and final disposal.
These efforts are intended to support better-informed decisions and improve the management of chemicals in products, materials and waste streams worldwide.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) is a subsidiary body of the Stockholm Convention composed of 31 government-designated experts in chemicals assessment and management. It reviews chemicals proposed for listing under the Convention and makes science-based recommendations to the Conference of the Parties.
Under Article 8 of the Stockholm Convention, a proposal is made by a Party - it first undergoes screening against the criteria in Annex D, which concern persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long-range environmental transport and adverse effects. If those criteria are fulfilled, the Committee prepares a risk profile under Annex E to determine whether the chemical is likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects such that global action is warranted. Following this decision, the Committee prepares a
risk management evaluation under Annex F before deciding whether to recommend listing in Annex A (elimination), Annex B (restriction) and/or Annex C (unintentional production) to the Convention.
PBDD/Fs and PBCDD/Fs are formed unintentionally through thermal processes involving materials containing bromine and chlorine. Important sources include the thermal treatment and open burning of e-waste and plastics containing brominated flame retardants, as well as some metallurgical and other industrial processes.
DBDPE and TBPH are brominated flame retardants used in a range of products and materials. DBDPE is used in electrical and electronic equipment, automotive components, building and construction materials and textiles, and has been used as a replacement for decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which is already listed under the Stockholm Convention for elimination. TBPH is a brominated flame retardant and plasticizer used in applications including wires and cable insulation, construction materials and upholstery, and has been marketed as a replacement for certain PBDE flame retardants.
PFOS, its salts and PFOSF are part of the broader group of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and have been listed in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention since 2009. They have been used in a range of industrial and commercial applications, including fire-fighting foams, metal plating and the production of sulfluramid used in insect baits to control leaf-cutting ants.
The specific exemption concerning PFOI and PFOB forms part of the listing of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds in Annex A to the Convention for elimination. It allows PFOI to be used in the production of PFOB for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products. The Convention requires periodic review of the continued need for this exemption.
Annex F to the Convention sets out the information considered during the risk management evaluation stage, including information on the efficacy and efficiency of possible control measures, alternatives, positive and negative impacts on society, waste and disposal implications, access to information and public education, the status of control and monitoring capacity, and national or regional control actions. The work undertaken by POPRC to enhance the collection and submission of Annex F information is intended to support more complete and transparent information on chemicals in products, articles and waste streams across global supply chains and throughout their life cycles.
The thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention will be held in Panama City, Panama, in 2027. Recommendations from POPRC-22 concerning PFOS and the PFOI/PFOB exemption will be considered by Parties at that meeting.
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For information on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention, contact: Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Secretariat Senior Programme Management Officer, kei.ohno@un.org
For media inquiries, contact: Maria Cristina Cardenas, Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor of the BRS Secretariat, maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org