Call for comments on indicative lists for long-chain PFCAs, PFOA and PFHxS, their salts and related compounds
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-22)

Closed call for comments on a draft indicative list for long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds.

At the 20th meeting of The Stockholm Convention’s POPs Review Committee (POPRC), the Committee adopted the decision to recommend that the Conference of Parties (COP) consider listing long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts, and related compounds in Annex A of the Convention, allowing for specific exemptions. This listing extends to compounds classified as substances capable of degrading or transforming into long-chain PFCAs.

The Committee recognised the complexity of accurately identifying and effectively communicating the wide variety of substances that can break down or convert into perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or long-chain PFCAs. To address this, the Committee decided to establish an intersessional working group tasked with developing a draft indicative list of long-chain PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds.

The draft indicative list for long-chain PFCAs will complement existing registers, covering the listings of PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds, as well as perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds. These have been developed in accordance with the definitions outlined in their respective listings under the Convention.

While these indicative lists are extensive, they are non-exhaustive and are reviewed and updated by the POPRC. The indicative lists are prepared to support Parties to the Convention in the identification of substances covered by the listing. However, these indicative lists are not considered definitive and the listing itself in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention remains the primary point of reference.

The POPRC has requested additional information and feedback on the indicative lists to support further updating and the ongoing consultation process.

Draft indicative list of long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds

Indicative list for PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds

Indicative list for PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds

You can find the lists on the Stockholm Convention website (https://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/POPsReviewCommittee/Meetings/POPRC20/POPRC20Followup/tabid/10078/Default.aspx). Refer to Section 2: Invitation for comments on indicative lists and explanatory notes for long-chain PFCAs, PFOA, and PFHxS following POPRC-20.

Background

The UK is a party to the United Nations’ Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a risk to our health and the environment. They can be transported by air, water, or migratory species across international borders, reaching regions where they have never been produced or used.

Substances listed in the convention are typically banned from production, placing on the market and use unless specific exemptions apply or acceptable purposes for continued use have been established.

Using and sharing your information

How we use your personal information is set out in Defra’s research privacy notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defras-social-research-privacy-notice/defras-social-research-privacy-notice) with the following changes:

Your personal data will be used to assess whether the UK wishes to add comments to any draft indicative lists during the intersessional period ahead of the next POPRC meeting on 29 September to 3 October 2025.

We will publish any comments we receive on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/) approximately 2 to 6 months after the commenting closing date. It is your responsibility to remove confidential information from any comments and attachments. Comments will only be attributed to a company or organisation name.

Defra respects your personal privacy when responding to access to information requests. We only share information when necessary to meet the statutory requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Comments

We invited comments for a 4 week period from 2 June to 30 June 2025. Two comments were received.