PFOS/PFOA Detection

On December 27, 2006, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers jointly issued the Directive on Restrictions on the Sale and Use of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (2006/122/EC). On October 30, 2006, the European Parliament passed the draft by 632 votes to 10. On December 12, 2006, the draft directive was finally approved by the Council of Ministers, and on December 27, 2006, the directive was officially announced and came into effect simultaneously.

The European Union will strictly restrict the use of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and the European Parliament has collectively voted to pass the final amendment to the EU Hazardous Substances Directive (76/769/EEC), which was held before it was included in the new Chemicals Regulation (REACH). Each member state will have 18 months to translate the directive into its own legislation (i.e. as of June 27, 2008). In December 2002, the 34th Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee of the OECD defined PFOS as a substance that persists in the environment, has biological storage properties, and is harmful to humans. The REACH regulation stipulates that PFOS is a major chemical that requires approval before use, as it is a well-known persistent organic pollutant.

Perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) are a class of highly fluorinated compounds that have good heat resistance and environmental damage, as well as water and oil resistance. Another common perfluorinated chemical is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts. They exist in salts, derivatives and polymers in the form of anions, and are widely used as raw materials in textiles, carpets, paper, coatings, fire foam, imaging materials, aviation hydraulic oil and other products because of their oil and water resistance. Therefore, the implementation of this directive will inevitably have an impact on the export of relevant products in China to a certain extent.

PFOS related chemicals are now used in different products, mainly including three application areas:

1) PFOS related chemicals used for surface treatment can ensure stain, oil, and water resistance for personal clothing, home decor, and car interiors.

2) PFOS related chemicals used for paper protection, as part of the pulp forming process, can ensure the oil and water resistance of paper and cardboard.

3) PFOS related chemicals in the category of performance chemicals are widely used in specialized industrial, commercial, and consumer fields. This category includes various PFOS salts that are commercialized as final products.

PFOS Limited Requirements

1) If the product ingredient formula contains PFOS greater than 0.005% (50ppm) of the total weight, it shall not be sold on the EU market.

2) The portion of semi-finished products or parts containing PFOS, if the concentration of PFOS is greater than 0.1% (1000ppm) of the total weight of this portion; If the PFOS concentration on textiles or coating materials is greater than 1 ug/m2, they cannot be sold in the EU market.

Another concern about perfluorinated chemicals - PFOA

Similarly, the European Parliament has also proposed EU restrictions on PFOA and PFOA salts, which are suspected to pose the same risks as PFOS. The application of PFOA and its derivative products includes surface treatment of household products (such as non stick cookware), convenient food packaging, etc. The European Commission has been requested to re-examine hazardous events, find safer alternative methods, and define hazard reduction measures. The potential toxicity, widespread incidence, and persistence of PFOA in all age groups have attracted high attention from the US public and regulatory authorities. According to documents, PFOA can cause testicular cancer in animals' liver and pancreas, and is listed as a carcinogen under California Proposition 65.

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