Restriction

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS)

Little Pro on 2016-07-17

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutants (POP) and was included to the Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.  PFOS is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic to mammalian species.  PFOS is widely used as surface treatment agents for textiles, leather products, paper, furniture and carpets for its excellent waterproofing and oil-resistance performance.

PFOS and REACH Annex XVII

PFOS was originally included in REACH annex xvii restricted substances list . After PFOS was added to the Annex B of the Stockholm Convention in 2009, the European Commission removed PFOS from REACH annex xvii and added it to the annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on persistent organic pollutants. PFOS is now regulated as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) in EU. 

PFOS and REACH Annex XVII

PFOS Restriction Limits in EU

PFOS is not entirely banned in EU. Its restriction conditions (see table below) are set by COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 757/2010 amending the annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on POPs.

Product Limit
Substances or preparations The concentration of PFOS <=10 mg/kg
Semi-finished products or articles, or parts The concentration of PFOS <0.1 % by weight calculated with reference to the mass of structurally or micro-structurally distinct parts that contain PFOS.
Textiles or other coated materials The amount of PFOS i<1 μg/m2 of the coated material.
Excepted uses: Photoresists or anti reflective coatings for photolithography processes, photographic coatings, provided certain conditions are met.

Note: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts are suspected to have a similar hazard profile to PFOS. It is added to REACH annex XVII restricted substances in June 2017. Read more...

References

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