Register of Specific Exemptions: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds

Parties may register for specific exemptions listed in Annex A or B pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 4. These specific exemptions have a limited timeframe and shall expire five (5) years after the date of entry into force of the Convention with respect to that particular chemical (paragraph 4 of Article 4), unless an earlier date is indicated in the Register by the Party or an extension is granted by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 7 of Article 4.

Specific exemptions

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 ActivitySpecific exemptionPartySorted By Party In Ascending OrderExpiry dateEstimated quantity of production / usePurpose(s) of production / useReason for exemptionRemarks
ProductionFor production other than fire-fighting foam, as allowed for the Parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of part X of Annex AEuropean Union03/12/2025Not providedNot provided  
Use01• Photolithography or etch processes in semiconductor manufacturingEuropean Union04/07/2025Not provided01• Photolithography or etch processes in semiconductor manufacturing  
Use02• Photographic coatings applied to filmsEuropean Union04/07/2025Not provided02• Photographic coatings applied to films  
Use03• Textiles for oil and water repellency for the protection of workers from dangerous liquids that comprise risks to their health and safetyEuropean Union04/07/2023Not provided03• Textiles for oil and water repellency for the protection of workers from dangerous liquids that comprise risks to their health and safety  
Use04• Invasive and implantable medical devicesEuropean Union04/07/2025Not provided04• Invasive and implantable medical devices  
Use05• Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fires (Class B fires) in installed systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, in accordance with paragraph 2 of part X of Annex AEuropean Union04/07/2025Not provided05• Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fire (Class B fires) already installed in systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, subject to the following conditions:
(a) fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for training;
(b) fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for testing unless all releases are contained;
(c) as from 1 January 2023, uses of fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall only be allowed in sites where all releases can be contained;
(d) fire-fighting foam stockpiles that contain or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall be managed in accordance with Article 5		 Exemption in the EU POPS Regulation, if exemption is different from the Convention:
Fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapour suppression and liquid fuel fire (Class B fires) already installed in systems, including both mobile and fixed systems, subject to the following conditions:
(a) fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for training;
(b) fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall not be used for testing unless all releases are contained;
(c) as from 1 January 2023, uses of fire-fighting foam that contains or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall only be allowed in sites where all releases can be contained;
(d) fire-fighting foam stockpiles that contain or may contain PFOA, its salts and/or PFOA-related compounds shall be managed in accordance with Article 5
Use06• Use of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of part X of Annex A European UnionReview and assessment by 31/12/2026, every four years thereafter and by 31/12/2036Not provided06• Use of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of part X of Annex A  
Use07• Manufacture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the production of: o High-performance, corrosion-resistant gas filter membranes, water filter membranes and membranes for medical textiles o Industrial waste heat exchanger equipment o Industrial sealants capable of preventing leakage of volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 particulatesEuropean Union04/07/2023Not provided07• Manufacture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the production of:
o High-performance, corrosion-resistant gas filter membranes, water filter membranes and membranes for medical textiles
o Industrial waste heat exchanger equipment
o Industrial sealants capable of preventing leakage of volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 particulates		  

Expired specific exemptions

No expired specific exemptions.