EUPublished: 19 September 2024

[Regulatory Update] EU applies the first phase of PFHxA restrictions from 10 April 2026 — concentration limits begin for firefighting foams and similar uses

Source:European Commission

The EU has added restrictions on PFHxA, its salts and PFHxA-related substances to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation. From 10 April 2026, certain firefighting foams become subject to a limit of 25 ppb for the combined total of PFHxA and its salts, and 1,000 ppb for PFHxA-related substances. From 10 October 2026, the same concentration limits will additionally apply to consumer clothing and related accessories, footwear, certain food-contact paper and board, and cosmetics, among others. Other application dates are 10 October 2027 (other textiles, leather, furs and hides for the general public) and 10 October 2029 (firefighting foams for civil aviation).

Editor's View

Even for the same substance, the application date differs by use. The restriction that begins on 10 April 2026 covers firefighting foams for training and testing and for public fire services, which is separate from the date for clothing, footwear and the other uses (10 October 2026). The effect on individual companies and the relationship with other countries' PFAS rules are not covered by this source.

※ This article is based on official public information from an external source (European Commission) and has been analyzed and organized for practical use.

Primary Source (Official)

Related Regulation Information

EU REACH Restriction on PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic Acid) and Related Substances (Regulation (EU) 2024/2462)

On September 19, 2024, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, which was published in the Official Journal on September 20, 2024. It adds entry 79 to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation, restricting PFHxA (undecafluorohexanoic acid), its salts and PFHxA-related substances. The entry prohibits placing on the market or using these substances at concentrations of 25 ppb or more (PFHxA and its salts combined) or 1,000 ppb or more (PFHxA-related substances combined) in the products it lists. The recitals describe PFHxA as very persistent and mobile in the aquatic environment, and note that large quantities of PFHxA-related substances are used in food-contact paper and cardboard, textiles and firefighting foams.

See this regulation's full analysis (timeline & business impact)

💡 The overview and schedule for the regulation related to this article can also be found on the Regulatory Gateway Database page.