In response to the inclusion of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related compounds in Annex A (Elimination) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (hereinafter, the Stockholm Convention), the Ministry of Environment has announced that these substances have been added as Category I toxic chemical substances and that corresponding operational management regulations have been established. At the same time, because the period during which perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS‑Li), perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) may be used in foam fire‑extinguishing agents for Class B fires under the Stockholm Convention has expired, the permitted uses of these substances have been removed so as to align with international management trends.

The Ministry of Environment has indicated that PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds are listed in Annex A (Elimination) of the Stockholm Convention and are therefore subject to a comprehensive ban in accordance with the Convention, prohibiting their manufacture, import, sale, and use, with no permitted applications being announced. However, in order to meet the needs of research, testing, and education, exemptions are granted for these specific purposes only, and the control concentration is set at the total concentration.

To prevent environmental pollution and risks to human health posed by per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to comply with the Convention, the Ministry of Environment had previously designated PFOS, PFOS‑Li, PFOSF, and PFOA as toxic chemical substances subject to regulation in 2010 and 2018. In line with the strengthened control of perfluoroalkyl compounds under the Stockholm Convention, the control concentration has now been tightened to the total concentration, and, as the period allowing the use of foam agents for Class B fires in foam fire‑extinguishing equipment has expired under the Convention, these permitted uses have been removed.

The Ministry of Environment further stated that, in response to these regulatory amendments, multiple meetings were held with industry representatives. Enterprises expressed their understanding of the Convention’s requirements and have actively reduced the use of PFAS or sought alternative substances. At present, none of the enterprises are using the 147 PFHxS‑related substances listed in this announcement, and only small quantities are used for research, testing, and educational purposes. Taking into account trace levels of unintentionally added contaminants and with reference to international exemption thresholds, the Ministry has also stipulated that PFAS whose concentrations do not exceed the specified thresholds and are not intentionally added will not be subject to regulation under this Act.