EU Bans PFHxS under POPs Regulation

EU officially lists perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021(POPs Regulation). The announcement came in the publication of Regulation (EU) 2023/1068 in the Official Journal of European Union on August 8, 2023. It shall enter into force 20 days after the publication.

As per the POPs Regulation, the manufacturing, placing on the market and use of substances (on their own, in mixtures or articles) listed in Annex I shall be prohibited.

To reinforce its application, a limit value is set for PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds occurring as an unintentional trace contaminant in substances, mixtures and articles. The restricted conditions are as follows:

Substance	CAS No	EC No	Limit value
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds	355-46-4 and others	206-587-1 and others	≦ 0.025 mg/kg (0.0000025 % by weight) for PFHxS or any of its salts ≦ 1mg/kg (0.0001 % by weight) for the sum of concentrations of all PFHxS-related compounds ≦ 0.1 mg/kg (0.00001 % by weight) for PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds present in concentrated firefighting foam mixtures that are to be used or are used in the production of other firefighting foam mixtures. (This exemption shall be reviewed and assessed by the Commission no later than 28 August 2026)

Background

PFHxS is one of many many compounds collectively known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). It is used as a surfactant and protective coating in applications such as aqueous firefighting foams, textile coating, metal plating and in polishing agents.

In June 2022, PFHxS, it salts and related compounds were listed in the Annex A to the Stockholm Convention without specific exemption. Since then, many countries and regions have introduced legislations to phase out PFHxS, its salts and related compounds.