UK Updates GB PIC Chemicals List: Multiple POPs and Mercury-Containing Products Face Export Restrictions

On August 27, 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a notice announcing significant updates to the chemicals list under the GB Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation. The new rules officially took effect on August 28, 2026.

The updates are as follows:

1. New Chemicals Subject to Prior Informed Consent Procedure

The following chemicals have been newly added to Part 3 of the GB PIC List as they are listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention, and export consent from the importing country must be obtained before export:

• Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE);
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and related compounds;
• Terbufos;
• Carbosulfan; and
• Fenthion ultra-low volume formulation (active ingredient ≥640 g/L).

Note: Existing entries for Carbosulfan and Fenthion in Part 2 will be deleted because they are being added to Part 3 of the GB PIC list.

2. Multiple Persistent Organic Pollutants Added to Export Ban

To align with Annexes A and B of the Stockholm Convention, the following Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) will be included in Part 4 of the GB PIC List and are in principle prohibited from export (except under specific exemptions or derogations):

• Dicofol;
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts and esters;
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and related compounds;
• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and related compounds;
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and related compounds; and
• Methoxychlor and its isomers.

Additionally, DecaBDE and PFOA have been newly added to Part 1 due to strict restrictions under the EU POPs Regulation.

3. Tightened Export Controls on Mercury-Containing Products

Pursuant to amendments to UK mercury legislation, a wide range of mercury-containing products will be listed in Part 5 of the GB PIC List and subject to export prohibitions. The following mercury-containing products are banned from export:

• Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes (≤30 watts);
• Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) for certain electronic displays;
• Switches and relays (except for specific high-precision/high-frequency equipment);
• Mercury-containing cosmetics, pesticides and biocidal products;
• Mercury-containing non-electronic measuring devices (such as barometers, thermometers, and manometers);
• Mercury-containing electronic measuring devices (such as melt pressure sensors)
• Other mercury-containing products (such as vacuum pumps, tire balancers and wheel weights, photographic films, and propellants for satellites and spacecraft)

Exemptions: Civil defence and military purposes, research/calibration uses, and cases where mercury-containing products serve as replacement components for large equipment and no mercury-free alternatives are available.

Why Choose CIRS

CIRS Group is a leading provider of comprehensive regulatory compliance services and solutions for chemicals, cosmetics, food and food-related products, agrochemicals, and medical devices. Its chemical team consists of experts with extensive knowledge in chemistry, toxicology, environmental science, and related fields. They are well-versed in various international regulations, including but not limited to CSCL, EU REACH, CLP, GHS, TSCA, and K-REACH. 

CIRS operates a subsidiary in the United Kingdom. By leveraging the expertise of CIRS UK and the international team, CIRS can provide enterprises with various chemical services in the UK, including but not limited to:

• UK-based OR (Only Representative) services
• UK REACH notification (DUIN) services
• Full UK REACH registration services
• UK chemical regulatory compliance consulting services
• Global GHS services

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.

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