Endosulfan

  • Substance(s) name(s): Endosulfan
    • Endosulfan’s group of substance has the following member substances:
      • α-Endosulfan
      • β-Endosulfan
  • CAS number(s): 115-29-7
    • 959-98-8 (α-Endosulfan)
    • 33213-65-9 (β-Endosulfan)
  • CE number(s): 204-079-4

Classification and labelling of Endosulfan

Danger! According to the harmonised classification and labelling (ATP01) approved by the European Union, this substance is fatal if swallowed, is fatal if inhaled, is very toxic to aquatic life, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects and is harmful in contact with skin.

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Source: ECHA classification and labelling Inventory (2023)

  • Category(ies) under POPs Regulation: Pesticide
  • Other uses:
    • Endosulfan is an insecticide that has been used since the 1950s to control crop pests, tsetse flies and ectoparasites of cattle and as a wood preservative.
    • As a broad-spectrum insecticide, endosulfan is currently used to control a wide range of pests on a variety of crops including coffee, cotton, rice, sorghum and soy.

Substance listed in Annex I, IV and IV of the POP regulation with specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification.

  • Annex I presents a list of substances subject to prohibition (with specific exemptions) on manufacturing, placing on the market and use.
  • Endosulfan is listed in Annex I as a substance subject to prohibition (with specific exemptions) on manufacturing, placing on the market and use.
  • Certain exemptions are applicable :
  1. Placing on the market and use of articles already in use before or on 10 July 2012 containing endosulfan shall be allowed.
  2. Article 4(2), third and fourth subparagraphs shall apply to articles referred to in point 1.
  • Annexe IV presents a list of substances subject to waste management provisions in accordance with Article 7(4)(a) :
  • Waste containing or contaminated by Endosulfan can be disposed of or recovered, as long as the substance concentration in the waste remains below 50 mg/kg (concentration limits specified in Annex IV).
  • In exceptional cases, Endosulfan present in waste, in categories listed in Annex V, Part 2, up to the concentration 5000 mg/kg will be dealt with in accordance with a method listed in Annex V Part 2.

Is this substance concerned by other environmental legislation?

Check ECHA EU Chemicals Legislation Finder (EUCLEF) (2023)

POPs characteristics

  • Endosulfan is persistent in the atmosphere, sediments and water.
  • Endosulfan bioaccumulates and has the potential for long-range transport.
  • It has been detected in air, sediments, water and in living organisms in remote areas, such as the Arctic, that are distant from areas of intensive use.
  • Endosulfan is toxic to humans and has been shown to have adverse effects on a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
  • Exposure to endosulfan has been linked to congenital physical disorders, mental retardations and deaths in farm workers and villagers in developing countries.