In an article published on April 16, 2015 by the news provider ENDS Europe, journalist Valerie Flynn reports that the EU will propose to eliminate production and use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, CAS 335-67-1) under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). As Flynn points out, a Council decision dated April 13, 2015 notes that PFOA is already being considered for a phase-out in Europe, as it has been shown to be toxic for reproduction, persistent and bioaccumulative. It is also regarded as a “Substance of Very High Concern” under the European Chemicals Regulation REACH. A related substance perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, CAS 1763-23-1) is already listed under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The EU will also continue to push for an end to exemptions for the use of PFOS and its derivatives in various consumer products, such as paper and packaging coatings, rubber and plastics, among others.

PFOA is authorized in Europe for the use in plastic food contact materials for repeated use (refer to the FPF background article).

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Valerie Flynn (April 16, 2015). “EU wants ban on persistent organic pollutant.ENDS Europe

European Commission (March 19, 2015). “Proposal for a council decision on the submission, on behalf of the European Union, of a proposal for the listing of additional chemicals in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.(pdf)

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