Overview

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large group of chemicals characterized by partially or fully fluorinated carbon chains of varying lengths. They are widely used across almost all industrial sectors and in numerous consumer products.

PFOS, its salts and PFOSF:

In 2009, the Conference of the Parties listed PFOS, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-4/17). To facilitate the implementation of the Stockholm Convention with regard to newly listed POPs, the Conference of the Parties adopted a work programme, including on PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (decisions SC-4/19, SC-5/3 and SC-6/7). In 2019, following the evaluation of the continued need for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, the Conference of the Parties amended Annex B to remove several of the specific exemptions and acceptable purposes for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF (decision SC-9/4).

• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17/Add.5: Risk profile for perfluorooctane sulfonate
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/20/Add.5: Risk management evaluation for perfluorooctane sulfonate
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.4/15/Add.6: Addendum to the risk management evaluation for perfluorooctane sulfonate

PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds:

In 2019, the Conference of the Parties listed PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-9/12). 

• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.12/11/Add.2: Risk profile for PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.13/7/Add.2: Risk management evaluation on PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.14/6/Add.2: Addendum to the risk management evaluation on PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds

PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds:

In 2022, the Conference of the Parties listed PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention (decision SC-10/13). 

• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.14/6/Add.1: Risk profile for PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.15/7/Add.1: Risk management evaluation on PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related compounds:

In 2025, the Conference of the Parties listed long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds in Annex A to the Convention (decision SC-12/12).

• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.18/11/Add.4: Risk profile for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.19/9/Add.2: Risk management evaluation for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds
• UNEP/POPS/POPRC.20/10/Add.3: Addendum to the risk management evaluation for long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds

Indicative lists of substances covered by the listings of long-chain PFCAs, PFOA and PFHxS

By decisions SC-9/13, SC-10/14 and SC-12/13, the Conference of the Parties requested the Secretariat, in consultation with the POPs Review Committee, to compile information submitted by Parties and others and establish indicative lists of substances covered by the listings of long-chain PFCAs, their salts and related compounds; PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds; and PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compound. The latest version of the indicative lists is available here:

• Indicative lists of substances covered by the listings of long-chain PFCAs, PFOA, PFHxS (ver. 28 January 2026)

PFASs under the Stockholm Convention		PFOS		PFOA
PFHxS		LC-PFCAs