PFOA Stewardship Program - Annual Progress Reports

Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a synthetic chemical compound that has been used to manufacture certain fluoropolymer products. Fluorochemicals are essential to many important products, including: wire and cable insulation for computer and cell phone circuits to enable high-speed data transfer; high reliability hoses for aircraft and cars to reduce emissions; firefighting foams for extinguishing aircraft and oilfield fires; and processing chemicals for semiconductor manufacture. FluoroTechnology makes important products and vital industries possible.

In 2006, EPA invited the eight major fluoropolymer and telomer manufacturers (Arkema, Asahi, BASF, Clariant, Daikin, 3M/Dyneon, DuPont and Solvay Solexis) to join in a global stewardship program with two goals. First, to commit to achieve, no later than 2010, a 95 percent reduction, measured from a year 2000 baseline, in both facility emissions to all media of PFOA, precursor chemicals that can break down to PFOA, and related higher homologue chemicals, and product content levels of these chemicals. Second, to commit to working toward the elimination of these chemicals from emissions and products by 2015.

As part of their commitment to the 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program, the eight participating companies agreed to submit annual progress reports on their reductions of PFOA, PFOA precursors and higher homologues in facility emissions and product content. Annual reports are due by October 31, for years 2007 through 2015. Progress is being measured against the baseline data submitted in October of 2006. Companies also agreed to work cooperatively with EPA and establish scientifically credible analytical standards and laboratory methods to ensure comparability of reporting.

In January 2015, U.S. EPA released the most recent reports, for years 2013 and 2014, from participating companies on progress they have made in reaching the program’s phase-out goals. Results show that companies are on track to meet the goal of globally phasing out these chemicals completely by the end of 2015. Read the progress report for 2014.

Related links:

• Source: PFOA Stewardship Program
• American Chemicals Council Press Release