PFOS is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic to human. December 17, 2006, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers jointly released the Directive “Restriction on the marketing and use of perfluorooctane sulfonate (2006/122/EC). PFOA is short for perfluorooctanoic acid, and has been prohibited according to general safety standards under EU Directive 2004/1935/EC.

As one of the most important chemicals in the 20th century, fluorinated organic compounds in the field of industrial production and consumption have been widely used. PFOS is short for perfluorooctane sulfonates, and the substances that can break down into PFOS are known as chemicals related to PFOS.

Application of PFOS

■ Used as surface treatment PFOS chemical, used primarily in water, oil and grease repellents for personal clothes, home decorations, automobile interior;

■ Used as paper protection PFOS chemical, as forming pulp, helps paper and cardboard to be anti-oil and waterproofing;

■ Used in specialized industrial, commercial and consumer area, including PFOS salt.

PFOS hazard

Perfluorinated chemicals can accumulate in fatty tissue of living organisms and are harmful to human and wildlife. It is proved that contacting with perfluorinated chemicals like PFOS and PFOA could result in baby born with defects, deteriorating baby’s immune system and thyroid function. So during pregnancy, PFOS is a potential danger.

PFOS regulations

On 27 December 2006, the European Parliament and the Council published directive restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (perfluorooctane sulfonates) (2006/122/EC). The directive was effective immediately.

■ Member States shall adopt and publish, not later than 27 December 2007, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive;

■ All member state shall apply these measures from 27 June 2008;

■ Fire-fighting foams that have been placed on the market before 27 December 2006 can be used until 27 June 2011;

■ Not later than 27 December 2008 Member States shall establish and communicate to the Commission an inventory that covers processes that are subject to derogation in electroplating industryand the amounts of PFOS used in and released from them, and existing stocks of fire-fighting foams containing PFOS.

PFOS limitations

PFOS may not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in a concentration equal to or higher than 0,005 % by mass, and may not be placed on the market in semi-finished products or articles, or parts thereof, if the concentration of PFOS is equal to or higher than 0,1 % by mass or, for textiles or other coated materials, if the amount of PFOS is equal to or higher than 1 μg/m2 of the coated material.

PFOA

PFOA and its salt, including home appliance surface treatment (anti-oil), convenient food package etc, are susceptible to be as hazardous as PFOS. EU parliament has made restrictions on PFOS and PFOA, asking to look for substitute material or method. The potential hazard has also arisen attention of FDA and PFOA has been listed in state of California as carcinogenic material.

Norwayhas recently announced the restriction of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and esters, in consumer products. Dependent on the product, the enforcement dates start in June 2014.

The limits have been set for mixture, textiles and for other consumer products as below:

PFOA in a mixture –0.001% (10 mg/kg)

PFOA in textiles –1 μg/m2

PFOA in other consumer products –0.1% (1000 mg/kg)

PFOA has been used in a variety of consumer products for many years. One of the significant uses of the substance has been to provide water resistant coatings to textile products. PFOA related substances have also been used to provide stain resistant coatings to apparel, other textile products and to carpets.

The Ministry has moved to implement the measure as the substance has been shown to be harmful to health and the environment. PFOA has been classified as being a PBT (persistent, bioaccumalative toxin) and is identified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC).

A link to the Norway restriction is below:

http://www.miljodirektoratet.no/no/Nyheter/Nyheter/Old-klif/2013/juni-2013/Forbyr-PFOA-i-norske-forbrukerprodukter

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