Europe | Proposal to Add Long-Chain Perfluorocarboxylic Acids (LC-PFCA) and Their Salts to Part A of Annex I POP Regulation

​EU Commission has initiated a consultation on long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids to align the EU’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
The proposal would restrict the use of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts, and related compounds under Part A of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (POP Regulation).

Feedback period - November 21, 2025 - December 19, 2025  (midnight Brussels time)
Commission adoption - Planned for First quarter 2026

In Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, the following entry is added:

Substance 
‘Long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs), their salts and related compounds 
“Long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs), their salts and related compounds” means the following: 
i.    linear and branched perfluorocarboxylic acids of the formula CnF2n+1COOH where 8 ≤ n ≤ 20 (C9-21 PFCAs); 
ii.    their salts 
iii.    compounds related to C9-21 PFCAs, which are any substances that have the potential to degrade or to be transformed to C9-21 PFCAs, including any substances that contain the perfluorinated alkyl moiety CnF2n+1 (where 8 ≤ n ≤ 20) as one of the structural elements. 

The following compounds are not included as compounds related to C9-21 PFCAs: CnF2n+1X, where X = F, Cl or Br.

Specific exemption on intermediate use or other specification 
1.    For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to the sum of concentrations of C9-21 PFCAs and their salts equal to or below 0,025 mg/kg (0,0000025 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles. 
2.    For the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to the sum of concentrations of C9-21 PFCAs related compounds equal to or below 0,26 mg/kg (0,000026 % by weight) where they are present in substances, mixtures or articles. 
3.    By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, for the purposes of this entry, Article 4(1), point (b), shall apply to the sum of concentrations of C9-21 PFCAs, their salts and related compounds, equal to or below 10 mg/kg (0,001 % by weight) where they are present in a substance to be used as a transported isolated intermediate within the meaning of Article 3, point 15(c), of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and fulfilling the strictly controlled conditions set out in Article 18(4), first subparagraph, points (a) to (f), of that Regulation for the production of fluorochemicals with a perfluoro carbon chain equal to or shorter than 6 atoms.
4.  

CAS No 
[1] 375-95-1, 
[2] 335-76-2, 
[3] 2058-94-8, 
[4] 307-55-1, 
[5] 72629-94-8, 
[6] 376-06-7, 
[7] 141074-63-7, 
[8] 67905-19-5, 
[9] 57475-95-3, 
[10] 16517-11-6, 
[11] 133921-38-7, 
[12] 68310-12-3, 
and others