PFASs are organic chemicals that contain carbon-fluorine bonds in their molecular structure. According to data published by the OECD, there are about 4,700 types of PFASs in 2018.
Features
Some PFASs may accumulate in living organisms throughout the food chain, and are more likely in long-chain PFASs than short-chain PFASs.
Due to the high stability of the carbon-fluorine bonds, these substances are extremely persistent and migrate throughout the environment easily.
Usage
Widely used in foam fire extinguishing agents, textile processing and food contact materials (such as non-stick cookware pans). The risk of exposure to PFAS is ubiquitous and can arise from food, food packaging materials, drinking water, breast milk, airborne dust and more.
Restrictions
Currently, the two main types of PFAS substances, PFOS and PFOA, are already listed in the Annex of the Stockholm Convention and are therefore also subject to POPS regulation in the EU. Distribution on the EU market is basically prohibited, except for authorised or exempted uses.
On 5 August 2021, the European Commission officially announced an amendment to Annex XVII of REACH, No. 2021/1297. The amendment includes restrictions on perfluorocarboxylic acids (abbreviated as C9-C14 PFCA) and their salts and related substances. The regulation will enter into force on 25 February 2023.
C9-C14PFCA and its salts and related substances are based on:
| Abbreviation | Name | Nº CAS |
| PFNA | C9-PFCA | 375-95-1 |
| PFDA | C10-PFCA | 335-76-2 |
| PFUnDA | C11-PFCA | 2058-94-8 |
| PFDoDA | C12-PFCA | 307-55-1 |
| PFTrDA | C13-PFCA | 72629-94-8 |
| PFTDA | C14-PFCA | 376-06-7 |
C9-C14 PFCA is water, grease and corrosion resistant and is widely used in consumer products such as paints, textiles and wood. Since it has almost the same use as PFOA, it is likely to be used as an alternative after PFOA is regulated. In addition, C9-C14 PFCA, which has PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic) and vPvB (very persistent, highly bioaccumulative) properties, is already on the SVHC list of the REACH regulation. Therefore, its use must and sale must be controlled C9-C14PFCA.
The salt (PFBS) has been added to the SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) list. HFPO-DA is a short-chain PFAS substance used instead of PFOA in the production of fluoropolymers, whose ammonium salt is commonly known as GenX. Apart from that, PFBS substances are an alternative to PFOS.
New proposal
The Norwegian department has submitted a proposal to regulate perfluorohexyl sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and its salts and related substances. It is recommended that these substances be added to the Stockholm Convention control list and may be subject to global regulation in the future. The German authorities have also submitted proposals for further regulation of perfluorocaproic acid (PFHxA) and its salts and related substances.
With the support of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany will submit a proposal to ECHA in 2022 to limit every use of PFASs. If this proposal is approved, the impact on industry will be enormous and will have a significant impact on the market for refrigerants, textiles, food contact materials and fire suppression applications. In addition, ECHA will submit a proposal for a restriction on the use of PFASs in foam fire extinguishing agents in 2021.
PFAS Management Trends
In terms of existing restrictions or regulations, the EU’s management of PFASs gradually extends from two types, PFOS and PFOA, to long-chain PFASs such as C9-C14PFCA, and then to short-chain PFASs such as PFHxS and PFHxA. And eventually it could limit and regulate PFASs as a whole. Due to the wide range of uses of these products, the impact on business is widespread, and any business that produces or uses the related products must pay careful attention to the renewal of regulations.
