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Listing of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds

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Table of Contents

  1. Preamble
  2. Paragraph 1.
  3. Paragraph 2.

Listing of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds

The Conference of the Parties,Having considered the risk profile, the risk management evaluation and the addendum to the risk management evaluation for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA‑related compounds as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,11UNEP/POPS/POPRC.12/11/Add.2; UNEP/POPS/POPRC.13/7/Add.2; UNEP/POPS/POPRC.14/6/Add.2.Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds be listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants with specific exemptions,22UNEP/POPS/COP.9/14.
1.Decides to amend part I of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to list therein perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, with specific exemptions for the production and use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA‑related compounds, by inserting the following rows:“
Chemical ActivitySpecific exemption
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds“Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts andPFOA-related compounds” means the following:(i)Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; CAS No. 335-67-1), including any of its branched isomers;(ii)Its salts;(iii)PFOA-related compounds which, for the purposes of the Convention, are any substances that degrade to PFOA, including any substances (including salts and polymers) having a linear or branched perfluoroheptyl group with the moiety (C7F15)C as one of the structural elements;The following compounds are not included as PFOA-related compounds:(i)C8F17-X, where X= F, Cl, Br;(ii)Fluoropolymers that are covered by CF3[CF2]n-R’, where R’=any group, n>16;(iii)Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and phosphonic acids (including their salts, esters, halides and anhydrides) with ≥8 perfluorinated carbons;(iv)Perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (including their salts, esters, halides and anhydrides) with ≥9 perfluorinated carbons;(v)Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), as listed in Annex B to the Convention.ProductionFire-fighting foam: NoneFor other production, as allowed for the Parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of part X of this Annex
UseIn accordance with the provisions of part X of this Annex:Photolithography or etch processes in semiconductor manufacturingPhotographic coatings applied to filmsTextiles for oil and water repellency for the protection of workers from dangerous liquids that comprise risks to their health and safetyInvasive and implantable medical devicesFire-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 2 of part X of this AnnexUse of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of part X of this AnnexManufacture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the production of:High-performance, corrosion-resistant gas filter membranes, water filter membranes and membranes for medical textilesIndustrial waste heat exchanger equipmentIndustrial sealants capable of preventing leakage of volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 particulatesManufacture of polyfluoroethylene propylene (FEP) for the production of high-voltage electrical wire and cables for power transmissionManufacture of fluoroelastomers for the production of O-rings, v-belts and plastic accessories for car interiors
2.Also decides to insert a new part X in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, as follows:“

Part X

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds

1.The production and use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA‑related compounds shall be eliminated except for Parties that have notified the Secretariat of their intention to produce and/or use them in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention.
2.Each Party that has registered for a specific exemption pursuant to Article 4 for the use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds for fire-fighting foam shall:
(a)Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of Article 3, ensure that fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds shall not be exported or imported except for the purpose of environmentally sound disposal as set forth in paragraph 1 (d) of Article 6;
(b)Not use fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds for training;
(c)Not use fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds for testing unless all releases are contained;
(d)By the end of 2022, if it has the capacity to do so, but no later than 2025, restrict uses of fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds to sites where all releases can be contained;
(e)Make determined efforts designed to lead to the environmentally sound management of fire-fighting foam stockpiles and wastes that contain or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 6, as soon as possible;
3.With regard to the specific exemption for the use of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products, at its thirteenth ordinary meeting and at every second ordinary meeting thereafter, the Conference of the Parties shall review the continued need for this specific exemption. This specific exemption shall in any case expire at the latest in 2036.