The EU has added PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds to the POP Recast Regulation on persistent organic pollutants. The latest amendment will become effective on August 28, 2023.
On August 8, 2023, the European Union (EU) issued Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 to amend Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants (POP Recast Regulation, consolidated version to June 2023) by adding perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds, with specific exemptions on intermediate use or other specifications.
According to the definitions in the latest amendment, PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds means:
- PFHxS, including any of its branched isomers
- Its salts
- PFHxS-related compounds, which are substances that degrade to PFHxS, including substances that contain the chemical moiety C6F13S- as one of its structural elements
Highlights of the new law are summarized below:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 of May 30, 2023, amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as regards the listing of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds,
Official Journal of the EU, August 8, 2023 |
| Substance |
Scope |
Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification |
Effective Date |
| PFHxS and its salts |
Substances, mixtures or articles |
≤ 0.025 mg/kg |
August 28, 2023 |
| PFHxS-related Compounds |
≤ 1 mg/kg (sum of all PFHxS-related compounds) |
| PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds |
Concentrated firefighting foam mixtures that are to be used or are used in the manufacture of other firefighting foam mixtures |
≤ 0.1 mg/kg (to be reviewed within three years with a view to strengthen the limit) |