REACH news – PFCAs facing restriction in the European Union

Entry Nº

Substance name

Conditions³

Effective Date³

68

C9-C14 PFCAs¹, their salts and C9-C14 related substances²

¹ Linear and branched perfluorocarboxylic acids of the formula CnF2n+1-C(= O)OH where n = 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13.

² Any C9-C14 PFCA-related substance having a perfluoro group with the formula CnF2n+1- directly attached to another carbon atom, where n = 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13.

Any C9-C14 PFCA-related substance having a perfluoro group with the formula CnF2n+1- that it is not directly attached to another carbon atom, where n = 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 as one of the structural elements.

The following substances are excluded from this designation:

• CnF2n+1-X, where X = F, Cl, or Br where n = 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, including any combinations thereof,
• CnF2n+1-C(= O)OX' where n> 13 and X'=any group, including salts.

Shall not be manufactured or placed on the market as substances on their own

25 February 2023

Shall not be used or placed on the market in:

a) another substance, as a constituent;

b) A mixture;

c) an article,

Exception:

• The concentration in the substance, mixture or article is < 25 ppb for the sum of C9-C14 PFCAs and their salts or < 260 ppb for the sum of C9-C14 PFCA-related substances.

Some derogations include, within others:

• The concentration limit shall be 10 ppm for the sum of C9-C14 PFCAs, their salts and C9-C14 related substances where they are present in a substance to be used as transported isolated intermediate for the manufacturing of fluorochemicals with a perfluoro carbon chain length of less than or equal to 6 atoms.

25 February 2023

This deadline changes depending on the use. Main applications include, within others:

4 July 2023: Textiles or oil- and water-repellency for the protection of workers from dangerous liquids that comprise risks to their health and safety.

4 July 2025: Invasive and implantable medical devices.

25 August 2028: Can coating for pressurized metered-dose inhalers.

31 December 2023: Semiconductors on their own and/or semiconductors incorporated in semi-finished electronic equipment. For semiconductors used in spare or replacement parts for finished electronic equipment placed on the market before 31 December 2023, it shall apply from 31 December 2030.