Germany proposes PFHxA restriction under REACH

December 20, 2019

Updated post from July 1, 2019
Germany has submitted its intention to restrict undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances, under Annex XV of REACH. This restriction proposal, mandated under ECHA law, has been submitted on December 20, 2019 (link).

Chemicals in this group are short-chain PFAS used in many consumer products.

Scope of restriction:
1. Shall not be manufactured, or placed on the market as substances on their own
2. Shall not, be used in the production of, or placed on the market in:
(a) another substance, as a constituent;
(b) a mixture;
(c) an article, in a concentration equal to or above an amount to be determined.

Reason for Restriction:
PFHxA and its precursors are man-made chemicals without known natural sources. PFHxA-related substances degrade to PFHxA in the environment. PFHxA as well as PFHxA-related substances are found in consumer articles. Emissions from multiple uses occur at each stage of the life cycle. The substances are ubiquitously present in the environment.

The complete restriction proposal and any updates can be found on the ECHA website.