Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are chemicals that have partially or completely fluorinated carbon chains of varied lengths. These substances are used in almost all industry branches and many consumer products (Glüge et al. 2020). The most-studied PFASs are perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).
PFOS, its salts and PFOSF:
In 2009, the Conference of the Parties listed PFOS, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-4/17). To facilitate the implementation of the Stockholm Convention with regard to newly listed POPs, the Conference of the Parties adopted a work programme, including on PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (decisions SC-4/19, SC-5/3 and SC-6/7). In 2019, following the evaluation of the continued need for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, the Conference of the Parties amended Annex B to remove several of the specific exemptions and acceptable purposes for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (decision SC-9/4).
PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds:
In 2019, the Conference of the Parties listed PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-9/12). The Secretariat, in consultation with the POPs Review Committee, developed an indicative list of substances covered by listing of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds. The list is to be updated periodically.
PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds:
In 2022, the Conference of the Parties listed PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-10/13). The Secretariat, in consultation with the POPs Review Committee, will be preparing an indicative list of substances covered by listing of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds. The list is to be updated periodically.
Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related compounds:
The POPs Review Committee recommended listing long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds in Annex A to the Convention. The recommendation will be considered by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting in May 2025.
- UNEP/POPS/POPRC.18/11/Add.4: Risk profile for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
- UNEP/POPS/POPRC.19/9/Add.2: Risk management evaluation for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
- UNEP/POPS/POPRC.20/10/Add.3: Addendum to the risk management evaluation for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
- UNEP/POPS/POPRC.20/INF/17: Draft indicative list of long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
The registers for specific exemptions and acceptable purpose are maintained by the Secretariat on the Convention website.
PFASs under the
Stockholm Convention
|
|
PFOS |
|
PFOA |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| PFHxS |
|
LC-PFCAs |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|