Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) have been officially added to th
Date：2026-11-13 14:05:24 Classification
：【Statute】 Visits：
On November 12, 2026, the European Union published amending Regulation (EU) 2026/1972 in its Official Journal, adding long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) with carbon chain lengths of C9–C21—along with their salts and related compounds—to Annex I of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation. This move further strengthens the control of persistent organic pollutants. The new regulation will take effect on December 16, 2026; companies exporting relevant products to the EU should conduct compliance assessments in advance.
1. General Limits:
The total concentration of C9–C21 PFCAs and their salts in substances, mixtures, or articles must not exceed 0.025 mg/kg.
2. Limits for Precursor Compounds:
The total concentration of compounds related to C9–C21 PFCAs in substances, mixtures, or articles must not exceed 0.26 mg/kg.
3. Exemption for Intermediates:
For substances used as transported isolated intermediates in the synthesis of fluorinated compounds with a carbon chain length of ≤C6 under strictly controlled conditions, the total concentration of C9–C21 PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds must not exceed 10 mg/kg.
4. Exemption for Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Fluoroplastics and Fluoroelastomers:
Until December 16, 2030, the limits are ≤0.1 mg/kg for C9–C14 PFCAs and ≤15 mg/kg for C15–C21 PFCAs. From December 17, 2030, a unified limit of ≤0.1 mg/kg applies to the total of all C9–C21 PFCAs. For LC-PFCAs that are not unintentionally generated during production or use, emissions must be reduced to the lowest technically feasible level. 5. Exemption for PTFE Micropowders:
For PTFE micropowders and related industrial products prepared via ionizing radiation or thermal degradation, the following limits apply until December 16, 2030: C9–C14 PFCAs and their salts ≤ 1 mg/kg, and C15–C21 PFCAs and their salts ≤ 15 mg/kg. From December 17, 2030, a unified limit of ≤ 1 mg/kg applies to the sum of C9–C21 PFCAs and their salts. Emissions of long-chain PFCAs (LC-PFCAs)—where such substances are not unintentionally generated during production or use—must be minimized.
6. Exemption for In-Service Class B Firefighting Foams:
For firefighting foams already installed or in use for Class B liquid fuel fires, the following limits apply until August 3, 2028: the sum of C9–C21 PFCAs and their salts ≤ 1 mg/kg, and the sum of C9–C21 PFCA-related compounds ≤ 10 mg/kg.
7. Exemption for Residues in Firefighting Equipment After Cleaning:
In fluorine-free firefighting foams, the sum of C9–C21 PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds—originating from firefighting equipment that has been cleaned using best-available processes—must not exceed 10 mg/kg.
8. Exemption for C9–C14 PFCAs in Semiconductor Maintenance:
Permitted for use in the maintenance of semiconductor spare parts for electronic equipment placed on the market before December 31, 2023; this exemption remains valid until December 30, 2030.
9. Exemption for C15–C21 PFCAs in Semiconductor Maintenance:
Permitted exclusively for the replacement or maintenance of semiconductor spare parts that originally contained C15–C21 PFCAs; this exemption remains valid until December 16, 2031. 10. Existing articles containing C9–C14 PFCAs:
Products containing C9–C14 PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds that were already in use within the European Union before December 31, 2023, are permitted to remain in use.
11. Existing articles containing C15–C21 PFCAs:
Products containing C15–C21 PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds that were already in use within the European Union before December 17, 2026, are permitted to remain in use.
This expansion of controls to include long-chain PFCAs (LC-PFCAs) signals that the European Union’s regulatory oversight of PFAS continues to tighten. Products such as waterproof and oil-proof coatings, fluoroplastics, fluoroelastomers, firefighting materials, and semiconductor-related supplies are considered high-risk categories. Companies exporting to the EU should closely monitor regulatory developments and promptly conduct risk assessments and testing of their materials.
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