European Commission adopts amendments affecting PFOA in firefighting foams (exemption timing/limits)

ECHA’s Weekly (7 May 2025) reports that the European Commission adopted amendments to Annex I of the EU POPs Regulation on 5 May 2025 that affect PFAS controls for firefighting foams containing PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related substances. The changes include extending the expiry date of a specific exemption for use of firefighting foams already installed in systems and setting new concentration limits for PFOA-related compounds in firefighting foam. Compliance teams in sectors using/maintaining installed firefighting foam systems (and suppliers of foam concentrates and service providers) should reassess exemption eligibility, inventory/supply constraints, and any updated concentration-limit conditions referenced by the amended Annex I requirements.