Register of Specific Exemptions: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride

Parties may register for specific exemptions listed in Annex A or B pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 4. These specific exemptions have a limited timeframe and shall expire five (5) years after the date of entry into force of the Convention with respect to that particular chemical (paragraph 4 of Article 4), unless an earlier date is indicated in the Register by the Party or an extension is granted by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 7 of Article 4.

By decision SC-7/1 and decision SC-9/1, the Conference of the Parties noted that as there were no longer any Parties registered for the specific exemptions for the production and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride as adopted by decision SC-4/17, no new registrations may be made with respect to them.

By decision SC-9/4, the Conference of the Parties decided to amend Annex B with a new listing, including amended specific exemptions and acceptable purposes for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride.These amendments will enter into force on 3 December 2020, on expiry of one year from the date of communication by the depositary of the adoption of the amendment, for all Parties that have not submitted a notification of non-acceptance according to paragraph 3 (b) of Article 22. For those Parties that made a declaration pursuant to paragraph 4 of Article 25, the amendment will enter into force on the ninetieth day after deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (CAS # 1763-23-1), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (CAS # 307-35-7)


As adopted by decision SC-9/4 [From 3 December 2020 onwards]

Sticky Table Header
Activity / Specific exemption
Party
Expiry date
Estimated quantity of production / use
Purpose(s) of production / use
Reason for exemption
Remarks
Use:

02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		Argentina 06/04/2028 Not provided 02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		There appears to be no import or use of these foams, which are not produced in the country. Nonetheless, such foams could remain present in different types of establishments, therefore the specific exemption is requested until it can be ascertained that there are no fire-fighting installations with this type of foam. Quantities used are unknown.

Note by Secretariat:
Informal translation on registration – original received in Spanish.
Use:

01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Norway 03/12/2025 Not provided 01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Not provided -
Use:

02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		Republic of Korea 02/06/2026 Not provided 02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		There is a need to phase out the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride for fire-fighting equipment in order to enable the replacement of fire-fighting equipment and the treatment of waste generated thereof. -
Use:

01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Viet Nam 02/12/2025 Not provided 01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Currently Viet Nam has still used PFOS as the input materials for direct production and in the articles, products, commodities and equipment containing PFOS in several fields such as: metal plating, fire-fighting foam. See footnote for details
Use:

02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		Viet Nam 02/12/2025 Not provided 02.
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 10 of part III of Annex B. 		Currently Viet Nam has still used PFOS as the input materials for direct production and in the articles, products, commodities and equipment containing PFOS in several fields such as: metal plating, fire-fighting foam. See footnote for details
Remarks for all entries from Viet Nam:

According to Viet Nam’s Law on Environment Protection 2020, precise amounts of PFOS imported and used by each enterprise will be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on case-by-case basis.

Since 2020, Viet Nam has internalized the requirements on POPs management of the Stockholm Convention in Viet Nam's environmental protection legislation.

The PFOS management has been regulated under the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and the Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated 10th January 2022 of the Government guiding the implementation of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 that purpose is to protect human health and the environment from POPs' adverse impact.

Besides, Viet Nam has regulated and implemented to control and monitor for the PFOS and articles, products, equipment containing PFOS under the Circular No. 10/2021/TT-BTNMT dated 30th June 2021 of the Minister of National Resources and Environment on environmental monitoring techniques and management of environmental quality monitoring information and data, including the techniques for monitoring of the POPs (including 12 old POPs and 18 new POPs, covering PFOS) in the environment components and in articles, products, commodities and equipment.

At this time, Viet Nam is developing the draft National Technical Regulation on thresholds for POPs in articles, products, commodities and equipment aims to inspect and assess the quality of articles, products, commodities and equipment containing POPs, including PFOS.

Viet Nam will continue to investigate, inventory, monitor, inspect and assess the PFOS and articles, products, commodities and equipment containing PFOS in conformity with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention in upcoming time.

Expired and withdrawn specific exemptions

Activity / Specific exemption
Party
Expiry date
Estimated quantity of production / use
Purpose(s) of production / use
Reason for exemption
Remarks
Use:

01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Switzerland 07/12/2024 Not provided 01.
Metal plating (hard-metal plating) only in closed-loop systems 		Transition to alternatives not yet completed. On withdrawal:

As the transition to alternatives is completed and the use of PFOS is no longer allowed in Switzerland since 1 April 2024, we would like to withdraw this specific exemption as of now.


As adopted by decision SC-4/17 [Status until 3 December 2020]

Sticky Table Header
Activity / Specific exemption
Party
Expiry date
Estimated quantity of production / use
Purpose(s) of production / use
Reason for exemption
Remarks
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Brazil Expired on
20/08/2017 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		The product protects the operators of spray chrome in electroplating process On registration:

There are some stockpiles to be used.
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Brazil Expired on
20/08/2017 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		The product protects the operators of spray chrome in electroplating process On registration:

There are some stockpiles to be used.
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Brazil Withdrawn on
21/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		The product protects the operators of spray chrome (highly toxic) in electroplating process.

No equivalent product available with the same performance. 		Withdrawn notification

Note by Secretariat:

Brazil submitted a new notification replacing this notification.
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Brazil Withdrawn on
21/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		The product protects the operators of spray chrome (highly toxic) in electroplating process.

No equivalent product available with the same performance. 		Withdrawn notification

Note by Secretariat:

Brazil submitted a new notification replacing this notification.
Use:

01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Canada Expired on
04/04/2016 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Not provided On registration:

None
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Canada Expired
Specific exemption for use of PFOS in metal plating only required until 2013. 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Canada Expired
Specific exemption for use of PFOS in metal plating only required until 2013. 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

06.
Chemically driven oil production 		China Expired on
26/03/2019 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time On registration:

Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Czechia Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Czechia Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		European Union Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Not provided On registration:

The EU restriction is not limited to PFOS, its salts and PFOS-F but covers all PFOS derivatives defined as C8F17SO2X X = OH, metal salt (O-M+), halide, amide and other derivatives including polymers.
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		European Union Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Not provided On registration:

The EU restriction is not limited to PFOS, its salts and PFOS-F but covers all PFOS derivatives defined as C8F17SO2X X = OH, metal salt (O-M+), halide, amide and other derivatives including polymers.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		European Union Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Not provided On registration:

The EU restriction is not limited to PFOS, its salts and PFOS-F but covers all PFOS derivatives defined as C8F17SO2X X = OH, metal salt (O-M+), halide, amide and other derivatives including polymers.
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		European Union Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Not provided On registration:

The EU restriction is not limited to PFOS, its salts and PFOS-F but covers all PFOS derivatives defined as C8F17SO2X X = OH, metal salt (O-M+), halide, amide and other derivatives including polymers.
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

07.
Carpets 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 07.
Carpets 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

08.
Leather and apparel 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 08.
Leather and apparel 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

10.
Paper and packaging 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 10.
Paper and packaging 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

12.
Rubber and plastics 		Iran Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 12.
Rubber and plastics 		Country data not yet established On registration:

Not provided
Use:

06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

07.
Carpets 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 07.
Carpets 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

08.
Leather and apparel 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 08.
Leather and apparel 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 09.
Textiles and upholstery 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

10.
Paper and packaging 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 10.
Paper and packaging 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 11.
Coatings and coating additives 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

12.
Rubber and plastics 		Nigeria Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 12.
Rubber and plastics 		No alternative for now On registration:

Not provided
Use:

01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Norway Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Switzerland Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Switzerland Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Not provided On registration:

Not provided
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Türkiye Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		- -
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Türkiye Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		- -
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 01.
Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 02.
Metal plating (hard metal plating) 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 03.
Metal plating (decorative plating) 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 04.
Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 05.
Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 06.
Chemically driven oil production 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 07.
Carpets 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

07.
Carpets 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 07.
Carpets 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 08.
Leather and apparel 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

08.
Leather and apparel 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 08.
Leather and apparel 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 09.
Textiles and upholstery 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 10.
Paper and packaging 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

10.
Paper and packaging 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 10.
Paper and packaging 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Production:

As allowed for Parties listed in the Register 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 12.
Rubber and plastics 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.
Use:

11.
Coatings and coating additives 		Viet Nam Expired on
26/08/2015 		Not provided 12.
Rubber and plastics 		Still in use On registration:

Vietnam is in the process of PFOS inventory.