Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)- Restrictions and deadline

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals widely used in the society. PFOA is one of those families present in PFAS. Since they contain Carbon chain of different lengths and the Hydrogen atoms are completely or partly substituted by Fluorine atoms, they form a very stable bond and are not degradable in the environment. PFOA can be found in Non-stick pans, furniture, cosmetics, household cleaners, clothings, packaged food containers, furniture treatments products, food wraps, sprays for leather, shoes and paints.

EU has taken a regulatory approach to reduce the usage of PFOA and its salts under Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.PFOA is considered as a substance of concern because of 2 main reasons.

• Toxic for reproduction
• Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substance

Perfluorooctanoic acid has CAS number 335-67-1.PFOA salts and polymers comes with formula C7F15- , C8F17- .Below are the substances that are excluded from this designation:— C8F17-X, where X is F, Cl, Br. — C8F17-CF2-X′ or C8F17-C(=O) OH, C8F17-C(=O )O-X′ (where X′ is any group, including salts).

Important dates:

• 4 July 2020
  PFOA should not be used in equal to or more than 25ppb including its salts or 1000ppb of one or a combination of PFOA related substance in any substance/constituent, mixture or article.
• 4 July 2022
  This rule will apply to the equipment used to manufacture semi-conductors and latex printing inks.
• 4 July 2023
  The rule will apply to textiles for the protection of workers, and membranes intended for use in medical textiles, filtration in water treatment, production processes and effluent treatment, and plasma nano-coatings.
• 4 July 2032
  The rule applies to medical devices other than implantable medical devices within the scope of Directive 93/42/EEC.

The US Environmental Protection Agency also regulates PFOA. On Feb 20,2020, EPA proposed regulatory determinations for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water.

On March 10 2020, EPA issued initial regulatory determination under the safe drinking water act (SDWA) for PFOS and PFOA. They also started 60 -day public comment box which expired on May 11,2020.

The public comment period is for interested parties to submit the input to EPA regarding on adverse health effect of substance, frequency of presence of this substance in water and health risk. A negative finding will lead to withdrawing preliminary determination.

Our REACH compliance experts keep a tab on developments on REACH regulation and help organisations meet their compliance requirements. Our expertise combined with consultancy services and experience in consumer product supply chain provides an edge in understanding the specific requirement in such cases. Would you like to learn more about how ComplianceXL can support your REACH compliance activities? Talk to our compliance specialists today!