What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical substances that resist natural breakdown, remain in the environment for long periods, and build up in living organisms. Examples include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, and dioxins. POPs can travel long distances through air and water, affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide.

What is the EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021)?

The EU POPs Regulation, also known as Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, is the European Union’s legal framework for controlling persistent organic pollutants. It enforces the Stockholm Convention by restricting or banning POPs production, use, and disposal to prevent environmental contamination.

Which industries are most affected by POPs legislation?

Industries such as electronics, automotive, textiles, and construction are most affected by persistent organic pollutant (POP) regulations. These sectors often use materials containing POPs, such as flame retardants, lubricants, or plasticizers, and must comply with EU POPs restrictions to continue selling products in the European Union.

How can companies ensure compliance with the EU POPs Regulation?

To comply with the EU POPs Regulation, companies should collect full material disclosures (FMDs) from suppliers, perform chemical screening to detect POPs, and use Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Compliance software. Ongoing monitoring of new POPs listings under the Stockholm Convention helps maintain compliance as regulations evolve.

What is the EU Waste Framework Directive and why does the SCIP database matter for manufacturers?

The EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) is a cornerstone of the European Union’s circular economy strategy, requiring manufacturers to design products for durability, reuse, and waste reduction. A key update in 2018 introduced the SCIP database, the Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) database, managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Manufacturers, importers, and assemblers must report products containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) above 0.1% weight-by-weight (w/w) to the SCIP database. This improves supply chain transparency and supports safe recycling and waste handling.

Who must submit data to the SCIP database under the Waste Framework Directive?

Any company that manufactures, assembles, imports, or distributes products in the EU market containing SVHCs above 0.1% (w/w) must make a SCIP submission.EU-based companies, including first importers have direct legal responsibility.Non-EU suppliers must provide data to their EU partners to maintain market access.The only exception is retailers selling directly and exclusively to end consumers. To determine if you’re in scope, review your supply chain data against the REACH Candidate List, which is updated about every six months.

How does SCIP reporting differ from REACH compliance?

While both REACH and SCIP address hazardous substances, SCIP goes deeper.REACH focuses on the registration and restriction of chemicals.SCIP requires a granular declaration of SVHCs at the article level, including details like material category, safe use information, and concentration ranges. In short, REACH manages chemicals, while SCIP manages transparency, ensuring every product component containing an SVHC can be identified and safely handled at the end of its life cycle.

How can manufacturers efficiently meet SCIP database requirements?

Compliance begins with accurate data collection and supplier collaboration. Manufacturers should:Map all products and identify SVHCs.Collect detailed article- and material-level data following ECHA’s IUCLID format.Use a compliance management solution to automate submissions and maintain accuracy.Solutions like Assent’s SCIP compliance software centralize supplier data, track REACH Candidate List updates, and simplify dossier submissions, helping companies shift from reactive compliance to proactive risk management.

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High Stakes, Mounting Pressure:
Meeting Demands for Enhanced Sustainability Reporting

Feeling the pressure from all sides to step up your ESG reporting? You’re not alone. The scope of the CSRD is expanding, first impacting large EU public companies and then reaching large non-EU companies by 2028. Even businesses not yet required to report will soon feel the need for data collection as demands from stakeholders trigger a domino effect across value chains.

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And as the CSRD is implemented, the cost of inaction has never been higher, including fines up to €75,000 and even imprisonment. But the risks don’t stop there — you could also lose ground to competitors, experience brand damage, and face increased scrutiny from investors and auditors as well as legal challenges.

To protect your business, it’s critical to proactively engage your value chain and align your practices with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and other international benchmarks.

Detlev Louis Stays One (or Two) Steps Ahead of Requirements

“We’re very happy with the results … [Without Assent], we wouldn’t be able to get the answers we’ve been getting. We wouldn’t be able to understand our hidden risks.”

— Daniel Rankin, Harmful Substances Manager, Detlev Louis

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Gather, analyze, and share value chain data on the topics that matter most to your business.

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Determine the most important ESG topics outside the four walls of your organization that are impacting your business and your stakeholders.

Easily Interpret & Share Results

Aggregate and analyze key findings about your value chain, providing business leaders with clear insights to support informed decision-making and progress your CSRD program.

Demonstrate Compliance Aligned With the ESRS

Ensure your value chain data aligns with ESRS and global benchmarks, demonstrating compliance with legislation and customer demands.

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Your CSRD Partner for a New Era in ESG Reporting

High Stakes, Mounting Pressure:
Meeting Demands for Enhanced Sustainability Reporting

Detlev Louis Stays One (or Two) Steps Ahead of Requirements

“We’re very happy with the results … [Without Assent], we wouldn’t be able to get the answers we’ve been getting. We wouldn’t be able to understand our hidden risks.”