On 14 April 2025 the European Commission adopted a draft revision of the PFOS entry in the POPs Regulation, which will be formally published in the near future. The revision renames the entry, tightens the limit values, deletes certain specific exemptions and adds notes on the CEN method. The main points are set out below.

Main applications of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts and related compounds

1. Textiles and leather goods, furniture and carpets: used as stain resistant coatings in surface treatment to extend product life.

2. Light water foam extinguishing agents and firefighting foam additives: used as stabilisers and active ingredients to improve foam coverage and persistence.

3. Pesticides and termiticides: used as active ingredients or adjuvants to control pests and termites, and for agricultural soil treatment.

4. Non-stick cookware and food packaging: used for oil resistant treatment of food packaging.

Proposed revisions

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts and related compounds.

NTEK capabilities

Material testing. Whole vehicle air and material VOC, odour testing, fogging testing, material performance testing, failure analysis, material composition identification and morphology observation, and crystal structure analysis.

Whole vehicles and components. Hazardous substance testing including ELV testing, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, battery regulation testing, REACH Annex XVII and SVHC testing and POPs testing. Other items: azo dyes, formaldehyde, PFAS analysis, organotin compounds, asbestos, halogens and dimethyl fumarate.

Chemical management services. IMDS and CAMDS reporting and training for automotive components, global environmental compliance training for automotive components, and 3R calculation and recycling services and training.