Background
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have issued the directive 2006/122/EC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (perfluorooctane sulfonates) on 12 December 2006. The directive is issued and enter into force on 27 December 2006.
The European Union restrict the use of PFOS according to the directive 2006/122/EC amending for the last Directive 76/769/EEC. Member States shall adopt and publish, not later than 27 June 2008, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. The assessment done by OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) at the 34th Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee of December 2002 concluded that PFOS are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic to mammalian species and, therefore, indicate cause for concern. The use of PFOS must be authorized acting in accordance with Regulation of REACH.
Directive of 2006/122/EC
PFOS, together with PFOA, are a good heat-resistant, water-resistant and oil-resistant organofluorine compounds. Salts of these compounds exist in salts, ramification and polymer materials by the shape of the anion polar. They can be applied in textiles, fire-fighting foams, paper, and leather; in wax, polishes, paints, varnishes, and cleaning products for general use; in metal surfaces, and carpets.
Schedule
1.The directive is issued and enter into force on 27 December 2006.
2. Member States shall adopt and publish, not later than 27 June 2008, the national laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive.
3. Member States shall apply these measures from 27 June 2008.
4. Fire-fighting foams having be placed on the marketing could continue use until 27 June 2011.
5. Member States shall issue detailed measures ,before 27 December 2008, aiming at reducing the use and release of PFOS in the plating industry and issue the information on the stock of fire-fighting foams.
Uses
Relevant chemicals on PFOS apply mainly different product at three domains,
1. Applying to surface treatment in order to waterproof, antipollution and oil-resistant of clothing, family-decorating and inner automobile;
2. Applying to paper-protecting in order to protect paper against water and oil;
3. Applying to special industry, commerce and consumer domain.
Risk on the environment & human health
PFOS could accumulate in tissues of live organism, and it does harm to human health and animals. It is proved touching chemicals containing PFOS and PFOA maybe lead to neonate disfigurement , adverse effect on immunity system, thyroid follicular cell adenomas. Especially for pregnant women, may be more sensitive.
Limit
1.May not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in a concentration equal to or higher than 0.005 % by mass.
2. May not be placed on the market in semi-finished products or articles, or parts thereof, if the concentration of PFOS is equal to or higher than 0.1 % by mass calculated with reference to the mass of structurally or microstructurally distinct parts that contain PFOS or, for textiles or other coated materials, if the amount of PFOS is equal to or higher than 1 μg/m2 of the coated material.
PFOA-another concerning substance
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts are suspected to have a similar risk profile to PFOS, and consequently the European Parliament has restricted on marketing and use of PFOA and its salts. PFOA and products deriving from it apply to surface treatment of home appliances (for example non-stick pan.) and packing of convenient foodstuff etc. There is a need to keep under review the ongoing risk assessment activities and the availability of safer alternatives and to define what kind of risk reduction measures. It is concerned that PFOA is potential toxic, extensive incident and persistent to all ages. According recordation, PFOA can result in hepatocellular adenomas and bladder cancer to animals, so it is listed in Proposition 65.