On September 19, 2024, the European Commission (EC) implemented a new restriction on the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA; CAS 307-24-4) and substances that have the potential to degrade or be transformed to PFHxA, under Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (FPF reported). PFHxA belongs to the broader category of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and is persistent and mobile in water, and its use “poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.” It is typically used for its water and oil-repellent properties. The restriction prohibits the sale and use of PFHxA in various applications, including food packaging among other consumer products and firefighting foams.
The restriction came into effect on October 9, 2024, 20 days after its publication in the European Union’s official journal. However, the ban will not be fully enforced immediately. Instead, depending on the intended use, a transitional period of 18 months to five years has been established to allow for the development and adoption of safer alternative substances.
Additionally, on November 7, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added triphenyl phosphate (CAS 115-86-6) to the candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) due to its endocrine-disrupting properties. Triphenyl phosphate is commonly used as a flame retardant and plasticizer and has been found to migrate into food and food simulants (see FCCmigex database.) It has also been detected in humans in biomonitoring studies and in metabolome and exposome studies, (see FCChumon database).
All EU producers of chemicals on the SVHC Candidate List or suppliers of products containing them above a concentration of 0.1% by weight must provide information to consumers for the safe use of the chemicals and/or products. In addition, companies are required to notify ECHA under REACH and under the Waste Framework Directive for inclusion in the SCIP database (FPF reported). There are currently 242 chemicals on ECHA’s Candidate List.
References
European Commission (September 19, 2024) “Commission restricts use of a sub-group of PFAS chemicals to protect human health and the environment.”
European Union (September 19, 2024) “Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462.”
ECHA (November 7, 2024) “ECHA adds one hazardous chemical to the Candidate List.”
