Japan Bans PFOA Isomers, Their Salts and PFOA-related Compounds

Japan implemented a phased-in ban on PFOA isomers, their salts, and PFOA-related compounds, prohibiting their use in a wide range of products while allowing limited essential applications.

According to the Gazette on July 10, 2024, Japan has revised the Enforcement Ordinance of the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL) to implement a phased-in ban on PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds.

The amendments are based on the decision made at the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to designate these substances as targets for elimination, as well as the appropriate conclusions reached by the Japan Chemical Substances Council.

The key amendments are:

1. Designates perfluoroalkyl acids (branched, C8) (PFOA isomers) and their salts as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances from September 10, 2024;
2. Designates PFOA-related compounds, including perfluorooctyl iodide (CAS 507-63-1) and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (CAS 678-39-7), as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances from January 10, 2025;

*Once designated as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, their manufacture, import and use would be prohibited in principle, except for “essential uses”.  

3. Prohibits the import of designated products containing PFOA-related compounds from January 10, 2025. These products include:           

• Water- and oil-repellent fibre;
• Defoaming agents;
• Water- and oil-repellents, antifouling agents, Textile protectants;
• Coating agents for optical fibre or its surface;
• Fire extinguishers, extinguishing agents for fire extinguishers and foam extinguishing agents;
• Water- and oil-repellent clothes;
• Water- and oil-repellent carpets; and
• Floor was.

4. Prohibits the use of these substances for applications other than two essential uses from January 10, 2025, including:

• Using perfluorooctyl iodide (PFOI) to produce perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) for pharmaceutical manufacturing purposes.
• Using 8:2 perfluorotetramer alcohol (8:2FTOH) to produce perfluorooctyl ethyl oxypropyl methacrylate (PFMA) for invasive and implantable medical devices manufacturing purposes.

5. Allows the use of these substances in fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing agents if they comply with relevant national technical standards.