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Latest update: On April 24, 2024, the revised Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances was officially published in the Gazette. The amendments took effect immediately, with no significant changes compared to the draft version issued in July 2023. It is important to note that the final version provides clarification on the control limits for regulated PFASs. Substances or mixtures containing PFASs, which comply with the following provisions and are not intentionally added, are not subject to regulation under the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act (TCCSCA).
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On July 11, 2023, Taiwan’s EPA issued a notice for public comments on draft amendments to the Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances (hereafter referred to as the regulation), a subsidiary regulation under the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act (TCCSCA). The proposal is open for a 30-day public consultation period.
PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds
As proposed, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds will be designated as Class I toxic chemicals in Taiwan. This move is in response to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which listed them to its Annex A (Elimination) in 2022 due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation properties. Taiwan will ban their manufacture, import, sale and use, except for research, experiment and education purposes.
Taiwan EPA found that these substances are primarily used for research, experimentation, and education in Taiwan, so the impact of the proposed regulations may be limited on the industry.
Annex 1 of the Regulation provides a list of 147 chemicals that are included in the group of PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds, with their English names, CAS numbers, and structural formulas.
PFOS, PFOA, and More
As per the draft amendments, Taiwan will also tighten the control concentration standard (w/w %) on perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from 0.01 to zero. This means that low concentrations will no longer be exempt.
In addition, one of the permitted uses of these substances in firefighting foams to fight Class B fires will be deleted since the transition period expired on December 31, 2022.
Transitional Measures
Companies that have handled PFOS, lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, and PFOA while not reaching the control concentration of 0.01% by weight, or have handled PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds, will be given a buffer period of six months to eighteen months to comply with the requirements for licensing/registration/pre-approval, handling quantity recording, emergency response, labelling and SDS requirements, personnel management, etc.
The details of proposed amendments and corresponding deadlines for compliance are available in the draft proposal. Click here for more information.
