China will enforce its ban on the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from December 26, 2021.

HBCDD has a variety of uses:
• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) for insulation and construction
• Back-coatings for upholstery and other interior textiles
• Automotive applications.

The ban prohibited the manufacture, use, import and export of HBCDD.

China signed the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant Chemicals (POP chemicals). The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) then formally adopted the Convention’s listing of HBCDD into Chinese law on December 26, 2016, essentially creating a blanket ban on the substance. However, a five-year exemption was concurrently announced to permit its use in limited circumstances. These include:

• EXP and XPS for buildings

That five-year extension has now elapsed, and the ban will be enforced from December 26, 2021.

In June 2021, the MEE instructed relevant government ministries to carry out surveillance activities relating to the prohibition, starting from the announcement date of December 26, 2016. These will be reported to the MEE before March 31, 2022.

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HingWo Tsang
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Email: [email protected]
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