Ban on 4 types of PFAS/ PFOS
We share the latest updates regarding legislation and regulations with our customers. We search non-stop for sustainable packaging solutions in our worldwide network and deliver them with a continuous, high quality. We convert the latest legislation into bite-sized information and together we draw up a strategy for your packaging needs. We will also keep you informed in the field of PFOS and PFAS legislation.
Fluorine in the form of PFAS/PFOS is used in many different products:
- Clothing
- Pans
- Extinguishing foam
- Packaging boxes such as pizza boxes
But what is the most recent legislation on PFOS and PFAS?
The Netherlands is initiating a European PFAS ban
The Netherlands, together with Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, has been working on this European ban since 2020, in order to curb the use of PFAS and protect our environment and our health.Fluorine is the substance that is used in 6000 different molecular compositions for making clothes, pans and some types of packaging, for example, grease and water resistant.
Legislation update – April 29, 2022
In the Government Gazette of 29 April 2022, amended regulations were announced by the Dutch government. From Halma Solutions we have made the following interpretation and have taken action: We have received questions from various sides regarding the Government Gazette published at the end of April. It states that 4 different substances are banned. It concerns a change of an earlier PFAS legislation.
Clarification raw material
The Government Gazette indicates that the description paper and cardboard now also includes alternative sources of cellulose. This refers to tomato leaves and sugar lozenge (bagasse).
Effective date of ban and transition period:
As of 1 July, the following substances are prohibited as starting material, contamination or degradation product:
PFOA (Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid)
PFOS (Heptadecafluorooctane-1-sulphonic acid)
PFNA (Perfluorononan-1-oic acid)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid and its salts)
No transition period has been provided for the trade in packaging and consumer articles containing certain specifically named substances, since it has become apparent that these are not currently traded in the Netherlands and it is highly desirable from a public health point of view that these are not yet available for sale during a transition period. appear on the market.
The ban, which will take effect on 1 July, therefore applies to packaging and consumer items that are not currently traded on the Dutch market. There is a separate section 2 entitled ‘Paper and cardboard intended for hot use (use as cooking packaging and for filtering drinks at temperatures above 80°C)’ regarding food packaging. The transitional period applies here for other substances mentioned in the same document.
Placing (bringing onto the Dutch market) of articles that were previously on the market in that form is therefore no longer allowed after 31-12-2022. New shapes, applications, etc., therefore not. The sale of stocks built up before 31-12-2022 is allowed, for the time being without a deadline. Please note: this does not apply to articles containing 1 of the 4 substances mentioned. These will be banned as of July 1, 2022!
For the time being, the packaging only concerns the substances mentioned. We only expect legislation for other Fluorine combinations in general in the foreseeable future, as has already been announced in Denmark.
Contact with the government
We are in close contact with the government about this legislation and as soon as we have updates on this subject, we will of course share it with you. This is national legislation, different from European legislation. The situation differs per country and Denmark, for example, is much further along in this regard.
Certificates from partners and further development
Depending on the type of product, we will coordinate with our suppliers regarding the certificates for a fluorine or fluorine/carbon-free declaration. Most suppliers are also busy developing their products so that they can be declared fluorine/carbon-free as soon as possible.
The bagasse products from Halma Solutions
We have received certificates from our suppliers that show that the above substances have not been present in the products since 2019. We therefore comply with the legislation.
Laboratory testing for PFAS
A new law came into effect on 1 July in which 4 substances that fall under the PFAS/PFOS family are banned. The substances may no longer be used as starting material, contamination or degradation product. Since many of our customers use bagasse products that could potentially contain these substances, we have had a dozen different bagasse products from our international suppliers tested for these banned substances.
We did this at an independent laboratory, which can test down to very small particles. For the tests, we ourselves randomly removed products from stocks and deliveries.
Conclusion of the tests:
The tests show that all tested products are completely free of these four banned substances and many other PFAS/PFOS types. That is why they comply with the applicable legislation in Europe and in the Netherlands. With this we ensure that our customers know exactly what is in the products they sell, down to the molecular level.
If there are further developments in the field of legislation or product development, we will keep you informed.
Questions about these tests, our products or services? Please contact us via info@halmasolutions.com you can contact w.apeldoorn@halmasolutions.com (Sustainable Business and innovations manager)