Listing of new chemical under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

At its tenth meeting in June 2022, the parties to the Stockholm Convention decided to add a new chemical, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds to the list of chemicals subject to restrictions under the convention (Decision SC-10/13). The chemical was listed with no specific exemptions. PFHxS, its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds have been used in a wide variety of applications, including in fire-fighting foams and mist suppressants in electroplating, as moisture and dirt protective coatings in textile, leather, paper, and packaging applications, and in polishing agents This consultation document summarises the status of PFHxS in New Zealand and provides a general description of the Stockholm Convention, along with the rationale for amending the HSNO Act to incorporate the new listing of this POP. New Zealand fulfils its Stockholm Convention obligations to eliminate or restrict the importation, production, use, and disposal of POPs, through the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act). Schedule 2A of the HSNO Act lists the chemicals that are subject to the Stockholm Convention obligations.