Monthly Updates: Global
Australia is reforming packaging regulation to eliminate PFAS
Brief description: Australia’s environment ministers have identified the removal of PFAS in packaging as an urgent priority for all jurisdictions to be dealt with through packaging regulatory reform (DCCEEW 2024b). General concern has been going on due to the persistence and sometimes unknown long-term effects of PFAS. Where the release of these chemicals into the environment cannot be controlled, such as in products for consumers, they should no longer be used. Under the National PFAS Position Statement (2019), Australian governments have agreed that the use of long-chain PFAS should be eliminated and transitioning away from the use of chemicals that cause irreversible or long-term contamination of Australia’s environment. Comments are ongoing concerning this until 28 October 2024.
Significance of this update: The decision on the PFAS ban in packaging might be made after comment deadlines.
Indicative lists of substances covered by the listing of PFAS
Brief description: In the twentieth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC.20) held from 23 to 27 September 2024, the committee provided comments on the indicative lists of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds, and PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds. The full updated lists of substances for both PFOA and PFHxS were released and contain both the substances covered as well as their chemical information such as structural information, as well as the substances not covered.
Significance of this update: Parties must take measures to eliminate the production and use of the chemicals listed in Annex A.
Australia seeks consultation on proposed Drinking Water Guidelines for PFAS
Brief description: Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has drafted an update of the PFAS Fact Sheet within the Guidelines that includes revised and newly established health-based guideline values for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). The suggested limit for PFOA in drinking water is lowered to 200 nanograms/litre (ng/l) from 560ng/l, and for PFOS to 4ng/l from 70ng/l.
NHMRC is inviting stakeholder feedback on draft guidance on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as part of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines until 22 November 2024.
Significance of this update: After publication in April 2025, these final guideline values will apply.
Notice to amend the draft of Scheduled Toxic Chemical Substances and Operation Management Matters to add 357 PFASs.
Brief description: The Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has announced a draft amendment on Point 1 and Appendix 2 of Point 2, Appendix 3 of Point 3 and Appendix 4 of Point 4 of the Bulletin of "Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances. This draft amendment will add a total of 357 PFOS, its salts and related compounds, and PFOA, its salts and related compounds, will be listed as toxic chemicals substances, to align with international management trends.
Comment period on this draft amendment is open until 20 November 2024.
Significance of this update: If the amendment is published, these chemicals will be subject to certain requirements as all chemicals in the List of Toxic Chemical Substances are subject to management requirements such as reporting, registration and notification.