The following PFAS are regulated under the REACH Regulation, the CLP Regulation and/or the Stockholm Convention:
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
- CLP Regulation:
PFOA and its ammonium salt APFO are listed in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, amongst other reasons due to their reproductive toxicity and carcinogenic properties, and are therefore subject to EU-wide harmonised classification and labelling.
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of very high concern:
The UBA has assessed PFOA and APFO in collaboration with the Norwegian Environment Agency. Due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties, as well as their reproductive toxicity, they meet the criteria for substances of very high concern. Consequently, the EU has included PFOA and APFO on the REACH Candidate List.
- Stockholm Convention:
In May 2019, PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds were added to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention. This means that, with certain exceptions, the use of this substance will be banned worldwide by the end of 2020. This ban was enacted into European law through an amendment to the POPs Regulation.
Perfluorocarboxylic acids with 9–21 carbon atoms (C9–C21 PFCA)
- CLP Regulation:
C9 and C10 PFCA, as well as their sodium and ammonium salts, are listed in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, amongst other reasons, due to their reproductive toxicity and carcinogenic properties.
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of very high concern:
The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI), in collaboration with the UBA, has assessed C9 PFCA and C10 PFCA, as well as their sodium and ammonium salts, and identified them as substances of very high concern. Due to their PBT and reproductive toxicity properties, the substances have been included in the REACH Candidate List. The C11–C14 PFCA compounds have also been included in the Candidate List due to their very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties (vPvB).
- Restriction:
The UBA, in collaboration with Sweden, has proposed an EU-wide restriction on C9–14 PFCA compounds, their salts and C9-C14 PFCA-related substances. The manufacture, placing on the market and use of these substances are prohibited in the EU, subject to certain exceptions (REACH Regulation, Annex XVII, entry 68).
- Stockholm Convention:
Perfluorocarboxylic acids with 9–21 carbon atoms (C9–C21 PFCAs) were added to the Stockholm Convention in May 2025, therefore this group of substances must be incorporated into the POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 by the end of 2026.
PFHxA (undecafluorohexanoic acid)
- CLP Regulation:
A harmonised classification for PFHxA has been proposed on the basis of its reproductive toxicity and confirmed by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in its opinion. The European Commission’s decision, and thus its inclusion in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, is still pending.
- REACH Regulation:
Restriction:
Short-chain PFAS, such as PFHxA, are frequently used as alternatives to PFAS that are already regulated. However, these substances are equally persistent and, due to their mobility, can easily contaminate water bodies and spread rapidly throughout the environment via the water cycle. Germany has therefore drawn up a proposal to restrict PFHxA, its salts and PFHxA-related compounds. In October 2024, the restriction came into force with transition periods ranging from 18 months to five years for certain consumer applications (e.g. textiles, food contact materials, cosmetics) and certain applications in firefighting foams (REACH Regulation, Annex XVII, entry 79).
PFHpA (perfluoroheptanoic acid)
- CLP Regulation:
PFHpA is listed in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, amongst other reasons, due to its reproductive toxicity.
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of very high concern:
PFHpA and its salts possess reproductive toxicity as well as PBT and vPvB properties. Furthermore, the substances are likely to have serious effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, the substances have been included in the REACH Candidate List.
PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
- CLP Regulation:
PFOS and its lithium, sodium, ammonium and diethanolamine salts have been included in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, amongst other reasons, due to their reproductive toxicity and carcinogenic properties.
- Stockholm Convention:
PFOS was added to the list of banned substances under the Stockholm Convention already in 2010. The use of this substance is completely banned in the EU and, with a few exceptions, is also banned worldwide.
PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of Very High Concern:
PFHxS and its salts were proposed for inclusion on the Candidate List due to their very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties. The Member State Committee of the European Chemicals Agency unanimously approved the Swedish proposal, and the substances were included on the REACH Candidate List.
- Stockholm Convention:
In June 2022, PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds were included in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention without exception and subsequently in Annex I of the POPs Regulation.
PFBS (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid)
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of Very High Concern:
PFBS and its salts were included on the REACH Candidate List due to their likely serious effects on human health and the environment. Reasons for concern include, for example: very high persistence, high mobility in water and soil, high potential for long-range transport, and difficulties in remediation and water treatment.
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propionic acid (GenX)
- REACH Regulation:
Substances of Very High Concern:
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propionic acid, its salts and its acyl halides are used as alternatives to PFAS that are already regulated, such as PFOA. However, these substances are equally of concern and have been included in the REACH Candidate List due to their likely serious effects on human health and the environment. Causes for concern include, for example: persistence, mobility, potential for long-range transport, low adsorption potential and high water solubility, which make the substance fully bioavailable for uptake via (drinking) water, as well as likely adverse effects on human health.
Restriction of the entire group of substances
The risks arising from the manufacture, placing on the market or use of PFAS are not currently adequately controlled. In the Chemicals Strategy for sustainability, the European Commission has announced a comprehensive package of measures to address the use of PFAS and the resulting contamination. The restriction of the entire group of substances under the EU’s REACH Regulation is part of this package of measures. The UBA, together with other national authorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, has submitted a proposal for an EU-wide restriction. The proposal submitted stipulates that PFAS may only be used in areas where there are no suitable alternatives in the foreseeable future, or where the socio-economic benefits outweigh the disadvantages to human health and the environment. The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) are currently reviewing the scientific evidence. On the basis of the scientific opinion, the European Commission will submit a formal proposal for a restriction. The proposal will be discussed and agreed upon with the EU Member States under the leadership of the European Commission. Further information on this restriction procedure can be found here.
The European Chemicals Agency has drawn up an EU-wide restriction on the use of PFAS in firefighting foams. The procedure has already been completed and the restriction came into force in October 2025, subject to certain conditions and transition periods (REACH Regulation, Annex XVII, entry 82). Further information on the handling of firefighting foams containing PFAS and the limit values currently in force can be found here.