Chemical name: 1,1'-Biphenyl, chloro derivs.

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

PCBs and mixtures containing 0.005% or more of PCBs are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical. Exceptions are made however for the PCBs currently used in electrical transformers, and no other remaining uses are allowed, except for the use mentioned below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Use of PCBs for research or laboratory purposes

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

PCBs and mixtures containing 0.005% or more of PCBs are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical. Exceptions are made however for the PCBs currently used in electrical transformers, and no other remaining uses are allowed.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

PCBs are a probable carcinogen to humans and highly bioaccumulative, especially in fatty tissues of animals. Foetotoxic effects have been reported following maternal exposure in both humans and experimental animals.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

It is expected that the regulatory action will result in significant reduction of various risks caused by PCBs to the general public.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

PCBs are highly persistent in environmental media and bioaccumulative, especially in fatty tissues of animals.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

It is expected that the regulatory action will reduce the risk due to bioaccumulative and persistent effects in the environment

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 13/11/2003

PCBs were banned for manufacture, use and import by MOE's Public Notice No 1996-75(1 June 1996). Final amended notice which also designated mixtures containing 0.005% or more of PCBs as banned chemicals took into force on 13 November 2003