News Brief
On July 14, Brussels time, the European Commission published amendments (EU) 2025/1399 to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. These amendments officially revise the specific exemption content for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and related substances, relaxing the limits for the substance's use in firefighting foams.
What Is PFOA?
PFOA is a fluorinated surfactant with very high chemical stability and hydrophobic/oleophobic properties. It is widely used in applications such as non-stick cookware coatings, waterproof and stain-resistant apparel, aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting, and food packaging.
Amendments to Annex I for PFOA
For perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and related compounds, the specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification in Annex I as follows:
(Points 4a and 4b are added after point 4, point 11 is added, and the exemptions in points 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 of the current requirements are retained):
| 3.For the purposes of this entry, point (b) of Article 4(1) shall apply to concentrations of PFOA-related compounds equal to or below 20 mg/kg (0,002 % by weight) where they are present in a substance to be used as a transported isolated intermediate within the meaning of Article 3 point 15(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and fulfilling the strictly controlled conditions set out in Article 18(4)(a) to (f) of that Regulation for the production of fluorochemicals with a perfluoro carbon chain equal to or shorter than 6 atoms. |
| …… |
| 4a.For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to concentrations of PFOA or any of its salts equal to or below 1 mg/kg (0,0001 % by weight) and to concentrations of any individual PFOA-related compound or combination of PFOA-related compounds equal to or below 10 mg/kg (0,001 % by weight) where they are present in fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fire (Class B fires) already installed in systems. This limit value shall apply until 3 August 2028. |
| 4b.For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to the sum of the concentration of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds equal to or below 10 mg/kg (0,001 % by weight) where they are present in fluorine-free fire-fighting foam and originate from fire-fighting equipment which has undergone cleaning in accordance with the best available techniques. |
| …… |
| 6.By way of derogation, the use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds shall be allowed in fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fire (Class B fires) already installed in systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, until 3 December 2025, subject to the following conditions: |
| (a)fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for training; |
| (b)fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for testing unless all releases are contained; |
| (c)as from 1 January 2023, uses of fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall only be allowed in sites where all releases can be contained; |
| (d)fire-fighting foam stockpiles that contain or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall be managed in accordance with Article 5. |
| “firefighting foam” means any mixture to fight fires with foam and includes but is not limited to firefighting foam concentrates and firefighting foam solutions to produce the foam. |
| …… |
| 10.For the purposes of this entry, point (b) of Article 4(1) shall apply to concentrations of PFOA and its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds equal to or below 2 mg/kg (0,0002 % by weight) where they are present in medical devices other than invasive devices and implantable devices. |
| 11.Articles containing PFOA, its salts or PFOA-related compounds already in use in the Union before or on the date of expiry of the relevant exemption laid down in points 5(a) to (d) may continue to be used. |
REACH24H's Reminder
It is important to stay updated with the latest changes to the EU POPs Regulation. Conduct thorough screening and control of PFOA in products, make necessary adjustments for products being exported to the EU, and meet all related compliance requirements.
If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
