Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) | Feedback period 09 February 2023 - 09 March 2023

Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 implements the EU’s international commitments under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (chemical substances).

The European commission has launched a public consultation o na proposal to amends Annex I to include PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds as substances that are subject to certain restrictions. These substances are expected to be listed under the Convention by the end of 2022.

This restriction proposal concerns Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related compounds, which are identified by the chemical moiety C6F13S-. The proposal includes specific exemptions on the use of these substances in different circumstances. For example, the exemption applies to concentrations of PFHxS or its salts equal to or below 0.025 mg/kg when present in substances, mixtures, or articles. Similarly, the exemption applies to the sum of concentrations of all PFHxS-related compounds equal to or below 1 mg/kg when present in substances, mixtures, or articles. In the case of concentrated firefighting foam mixtures, the exemption applies to concentrations of PFHxS and related compounds equal to or below 0.1 mg/kg. The exemption for the use of these substances in firefighting foam mixtures will be reviewed and assessed by the Commission three years after the entry into force of the regulation.

Link to the Restriction proposal and its Annex

MORE INFO ON: ec.europa.eu