On March 16, 2022, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were still listed on the agency’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Now, any product certified under EPA’s Safer Choice Program may not contain intentionally added PFAS. Any certified products containing either of the two chemicals must be reformulated within the next year or lose certification.
The two PFAS substances, amphoteric fluorinated surfactant (CAS 34455-29-3) and another too long to name here* (CAS 452080-67-0), were the last two fluorinated compounds on the Safer Chemical Ingredients List. The EPA’s Safer Choice program encourages the adoption of safer consumer products by certifying products that use chemicals known to have the lowest hazard compared to their alternatives. Certified products must also meet other criteria such as primary packaging that is free from bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), phthalates, and heavy metals.
The EPA also announced that it has issued an open letter to all stakeholders that manufacture, process, import, distribute, or dispose of fluorinated polyolefin containers “of their obligation to comply with existing requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to ensure unintentional PFAS contamination does not occur” (FPF reported). Both actions were part of ongoing efforts under the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap (FPF reported). The EPA further published an explanatory page about PFAS in packaging.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a similar notification in August 2021 to remind manufacturers, distributors, and users “that only certain fluorinated polyethylene containers are authorized for food contact use” following findings by the EPA and civil society organizations that some manufacturers were not following FDA regulations (FPF reported, also here).
Read more
EPA Press Office (March 16, 2022). “EPA Continues to Take Actions to Address PFAS in Commerce.”
*Boron, trifluoro(tetrahydrofuran)-, (T-4)-, polymer with 3-methyl-3-[(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropoxy)methyl]oxetane, ether with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (2:1), bis(hydrogen sulfate), diammonium salt
