Designation and Prohibition of Chemical Substances: PFOA and Related Compounds

The Act on the Regulation of Manufacture and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (Article 17 and 22) outlines Class I Specified Chemical Substances that require authorization for manufacturing or import. These include PFOA isomers, their salts, and related compounds. The Act also allows certain chemical substances and their uses for a certain period of time. For example, fluorotelomer alcohol used in medical devices and perfluorooctyl iodide for pharmaceutical production is allowed until December 31, 2025. PFOA isomers or their salts are used in various products, including water-resistant paper, textiles, cleaning agents, anti-reflection agents, paints, varnish, adhesives, sealers, fire extinguishers, toners, clothes, floor coverings, floor waxes, and photographic paper. PFOA-related compounds are used in water-repellent textiles, antifoaming agents, water repellents, optical fiber, fire extinguishers, clothes, floor coverings, and floor waxes.