United Kingdom updates the GB PIC List with new controlled substances and expands export restrictions for POPs and mercury-containing products

The United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has introduced amendments to the GB PIC (Prior Informed Consent) List, effective as of 28 August 2026. The changes add new substances to the prior informed consent procedure, expand restrictions applicable to certain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and strengthen controls on the export of mercury-containing products.

The amendments announced by the HSE affect the international trade of certain chemical substances and chemical products exported from Great Britain, aligning national legislation with the commitments arising from the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

Among the key changes, several substances have been added to Part 3 of the GB PIC List, meaning that exporters must obtain consent from the importing country before proceeding with export. The newly added substances are:

• Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and related compounds
• Terbufos
• Carbosulfan
• ULV formulations of fenthion with an active ingredient concentration equal to or greater than 640 g/L

In addition, the update introduces new export restrictions for several Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in line with international obligations arising from the Stockholm Convention. The affected substances include:

• Dicofol
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP), its salts and esters
• PFOA, its salts and related compounds
• PFOS, its salts and related compounds
• PFHxS, its salts and related compounds
• Methoxychlor and its isomers

The regulatory update also expands the restrictions applicable to mercury-containing products. According to the published information, the measures affect various categories of industrial and consumer products containing mercury, further strengthening export controls established by the UK authorities.

Companies affected by these changes should review their export obligations and verify compliance with the new requirements applicable to the substances and products covered by the update. At Siam, we help manufacturers, importers and exporters assess the requirements of the UK GB PIC Regulation, review the regulatory status of controlled substances and manage the obligations necessary to ensure compliance in international trade operations.