PFAS Declaration - Acetate

Since 2009, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS) have been included in the international Stockholm Convention to eliminate their use. PFOS has been restricted in the EU for more than 10 years already, under the EU's Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation.

PFAS are defined as a chemical substance, or polymer, that includes at least one aliphatic (-CF2-) or (-CF3-) element.

The Stockholm Convention also regulates the global elimination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds. PFOA has been banned under the POPs Regulation since July 4, 2020.

In June 2022, the Stockholm Convention parties decided to include PFHxS, its salts and related compounds in the treaty. The Commission added the substance group in the EU's POPs Regulation in May 2023 and the regulation entered into force on August 28, 2023.

Long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs) are being considered for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention and consequent global elimination.

 

REACH Restrictions

Perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-14 PFCAs), their salts and related substances have been restricted in the EU/EEA since February 2023, following a decision by the European Commission based on a proposal from German and Swedish authorities.

In the scope of its Chemical Strategy for Sustainability the European Commission also commits to phasing-out the use of all PFAS in the EU, unless their use is essential.

Undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances, will face restrictions in the UE/EEA starting in April 2026.

A number of PFAS are on the REACH Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC), for example PFOA, perfluorinated carboxylic acids (C9-14 PFCAs) and PFHxS.

In June 2019, January 2020, and January 2023 three groups of PFAS were identified as SVHCs.

These groups are

  • 2,3,3,3-tetrafluor-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)proionic acid, its salts and its acyl halides (HFPO-DA), a short chain PFAS substitute for PFOA in fluorpolymer production, was the first substance added to the Candidate List. Its ammonium salt is commonly known as GenX.;
  • Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts, a replacement of PFOS; and
  • perfluorheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and its salts.

 

Canada Regulation

Regarding the "Notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on July 27, 2024, pursuant to paragraph 71(1)(b) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)", it applies to 312 substances listed in "Toxic substances list: schedule 1" (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/canadian-environmental-protection-act-registry/substances-list/toxic/schedule-1.html)

After having checked in its production plants, to the best of his knowledge, based on information provided by his raw material suppliers plus knowledge of finished product composition, confirms that the product listed above does not intentionally contain PFAS.

The products (Cellulose Acetate sheets) are realized in the following formulations:

  • Standard
  • M49
  • HX

and using the following technologies:

  • Rhodoid block
  • Extruction
  • Lamination