PFAS (per/polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as perfluorine and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is an umbrella term for a range of synthetic organofluorides, including PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (perfluoroctane sulfonate), and many other organic fluorides. Up to now, the PFAS family contains more than 5,000 compounds, and due to its special physical and chemical properties, it is often used to manufacture daily necessities with anti-fouling, waterproof, and anti-grease. PFAS contain strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them difficult to destroy at high temperatures, meaning that these chemicals do not easily deteriorate, are not biodegradable, and are also known as "permanent chemicals", and their use has raised serious concerns about environmental persistence and bioaccumulation.
PFAS has been manufactured and used in multiple industries around the world since the 1940s, with PFOA and PFOS being the most widely produced and used of these chemicals, but their toxicity has been a problem for human health, which is affected by the consumption of this persistent chemical, leading to chronic dietary exposure diseases such as fast food, takeaways, and pizza boxes, which are made with permanent chemicals.Water pollution is another major problem caused by the use of these permanent chemicals. PFAS can quickly pollute the environment, polluting the air, soil and water.In 2020, scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the results of a study of certain PFAS used in food packaging that show a high incidence of serious human health problems, such as low birth weight, kidney cancer, and thyroid problems. In July of the same year, the FDA announced an agreement with manufacturers to voluntarily implement a 3-year phase-out program for certain short-chain PFAS used in food packaging, starting in January 2021. Since then, 14 fast food and fast food chains have committed to eliminating chemicals forever in food packaging, impacting more than 123,534 stores and more than $203.2 billion in annual sales. In addition, the four largest grocery chains in the U.S. made the same commitment, corresponding to more than 5,000 stores and more than $130 billion in annual sales.
U.S. Federal PFAS Regulations:
In April 2021, the EPA established the PFAS Committee, whose main purpose is to protect public health and the environment from the effects of PFAS, released the PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA's Commitment to Action 2021-2024, outlining the different sectors of the EPA for action across sectors. Currently, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is analyzing the preliminary plan submitted by the EPA to designate two PFASs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances and responsibilities under the Integrated Environmental Response, Compensation Program (CERCLA), with final rules expected to be issued in the summer of 2023.California expects to permanently ban PFAS chemicals in food wrapping paper, children's products and firefighting foam by 2023, and require "least toxic alternatives" when replacing PFAS in clothing or textiles. California is also on the verge of developing regulations on the amount of PFAS in drinking water, and has developed informal federal standards for the "notification level" and "response level" of PFOA and PFOS for public water providers.
Canada：
Canada has banned the use, sale and import of PFOS and products containing PFOS since 2008, with the exception of some products used for firefighting and military purposes and some ink and photo media uses.
European Union：
The European Union has developed a PFAS regulation called REACH under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which has been adopted to improve human health and environmental protection from chemical hazards, while also improving the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. In accordance with the regulation, the European Commission accepted a proposal from the German and Swedish authorities to restrict perfluorocarboxylic acid (C9-14 PFCA), its salts and precursors in the EU/EEA from February 2023. ECHA's scientific committee supports the Proposal of Norway and Germany to limit perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and undecanohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and their salts and related substances, but the decision has not yet been finalized by the European Commission.On 15 June 2020, the Official Journal of the European Union published Regulation(EU)2020/784, an amendment to the EU POP Pomp Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, which officially listed PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds in Annex I of the POP Regulation. The restriction is effective as of July 4, 2020. The Act sets limits for unintentional trace contaminants in substances, mixtures and articles at 0.025 mg/kg (25 PPB), including its salts.In addition, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark and Sweden are expected to submit a proposal for restrictions covering a wide range of PFAS uses to ECHA in January 2023. Denmark, which can serve as a reference in this matter, has issued Order No. 681 of 25 May 2020 entitled Executive Order on Food Contact Materials and the Penal Code for Violations of Relevant EU Acts. The regulation prohibits the use of PFAS compounds in food contact paper and in cardboard materials and articles.
Asia：
China has included 18 substances related to permanent chemicals in the national list of key controlled chemicals, and it is expected that future laws and regulations on environmental risk control measures will strengthen the New Pollutant Management Action Plan issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China on October 11, 2021. Standard GB 9685-2016 "Standard for the Use of Additives for Food Contact Materials and Products" controls PFOS and PFOS in some materials such as cartons, plastics and non-stick pan coatings.Japan's regulations on PFAS are more relaxed. While PFOAs were added to the CSCA's Class I List of Specific Chemicals in April 2021, PFOA-related substances are excluded from regulatory scope.In May 2021, Thailand announced its intention to list eight substances, including PFOA, as hazardous substances (banned substances) in Category 4 of the country's Hazardous Substances Act.
Suzhou Sanxin Material Technology Co., Ltd:
Suzhou Sanxin Material Technology Co., Ltd. packaging coatings involved in the raw materials involved only contain PTFE wax, due to its excellent slip and scratch resistance, is widely used in the metal packaging coatings inside and outside coatings.Through our cooperation with suppliers of PTFE raw materials, combined with process reforms and the use of "PFOA compliant" PTFE grades (i.e. containing PFOA less than 25 PPB), we have ensured that the use of PTFE coatings complies with EU regulations.While PFAS regulation in the food and beverage industry appears to be in its infancy globally, with some Asian countries not even addressing it at all, there is an urgent need to study and test known substances and ingredients. The scientific community has the potential to replace PFAS in human dietary products and packaging.
