Introduction: Perfluorooctane carboxylic acid (PFOA) is mainly used as a fluorinated waterproof/oil-proof/anti-fouling finishing agent for fabrics in the printing and dyeing industry. In view of its impact on human health and the ecological environment, major international scientist groups Calling for greater attention to the environmental risks of PFOA. Recently, the Official Journal of the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2021/115, which updates the requirements for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in Annex I of POP Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 “Substances Prohibited (with Specific Exemptions) from Production, Placement on the Market and Use” .
The description of PFOA substances currently controlled by the new POP regulations is as follows:
1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds include:
Perfluorooctanoic acid, including any of its branched isomers;
Salts of PFOA Class;
PFOA-related substances refer to any substance that can decompose to produce PFOA, including any carbon chain structure containing perfluoroheptyl (C(C7F15)-, straight chain or Branched structure) functional group substances (including salts and polymers).
2. The following substances are not PFOA-related substances:
C8F17-X, where X is F, Cl , Br;
Perfluoropolymer with CF3[CF2]n-R structure, where R can be any functional group, n> 16;
Perfluorocarboxylic acids containing 8 or more carbon atoms (including their salts, esters, halides and anhydrides);
Containing Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids and perfluorophosphonic acids with 9 or more carbon atoms (including their salts, esters, halides and anhydrides);
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives.
3. The main changes in this update are as follows:
Item 3: If they exist in Regulation No. 1907/2006 ( substances for use as isolable intermediates in transport within the meaning of point 15(c) of Article 3 EC) and which meet the strict controls set out in Article 18(4)(a) to (f) of that Regulation Conditions for production of carbon chains less than or equal to 6 atoms and concentrations of PFOA-related substances not exceeding 20 mg/kg. The Commission shall review and evaluate this exemption no later than July 5, 2022.
Change to: For the purposes of this entry, point (b) of Article 4(1) shall apply to Article 3(15) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Substances referred to in point c) that are used as isolable intermediates in transportation and that meet the strict control conditions specified in Articles 18(4)(a)~(f) of the Regulation and are used in the production of perfluorocarbon chains smaller than or equal to 6 atoms, PFOA related substances should be equal to or less than 20 mg/kg (0.002% (by mass).
Item 4: PFOA and its salts are present in concentrations not exceeding 1 mg/kg in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowders produced by ionizing radiation or thermal degradation up to 400 kilograins, also applicable to polytetrafluoroethylene-containing Industrial and professional uses of ethylene micron powder. During the manufacture and use of polytetrafluoroethylene micron powder, all emissions of PFOA should be avoided or, if not possible, reduced to the greatest extent possible. The Committee shall review this decision no later than July 5, 2022 exempt from review and assessment.
Change to: For the purposes of this entry, point (b) of Article 4(1) shall apply to PFOA and its salts in concentrations equal to or Less than 1 mg/kg (0.0001% by mass) where they are present in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowders produced by ionizing radiation or thermal degradation and in industrial and professional uses containing PTFE micropowders In mixtures and articles.
Entry 10: In this entry, point (b) of Article 4(1) shall apply except for invasive The concentration of PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related substances in medical devices other than medical devices and implantable devices is equal to or less than 2 mg/kg (0.0002% by mass). The Committee shall not later than February 22, 2023 The exemption will be reviewed and evaluated on a daily basis.
4. From the above, it can be seen that the focus of this revision is:
★Intermediates used in the production of short-chain perfluorinated organic compounds (carbon atoms less than or equal to 6) are included in the restriction requirements;
★For those that produce PFOA The production route of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micro powder has been relaxed;
★Specific limits have been set for PFOA in some medical equipment.
This update is from It will take effect within 20 days from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union; and all updated parts are directly applicable to all EU member states.</p
