Entry into force of a restriction on PFAS

Edited on 03/14/2023
Summary: 
C9-C14 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) may no longer be placed on the EU market or used in most applications from 23 February 2023.
News text: 

From 23 February 2023, perfluorocarboxylic acids containing 9 to 14 carbon atoms in the chain (C9-C14 PFCAs), their salts and C9-C14 PFCA-related substances shall not:

- be manufactured, or placed on the market as substances on their own;

- be used, or placed on the market either in another substance, as a constituent; or in a mixture; or in an article, except if the concentration in the substance, the mixture, or the article is below 25 ppb for the sum of C9-C14 PFCAs and their salts or 260 ppb for the sum of C9-C14 PFCA-related substances.

There are some temporary exemptions to this restriction, such as textiles for oil- and water-repellency for the protection of workers, photolithography or etch processes in semiconductor manufacturing.

Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1297/oj