The Norwegian Ministry of the Environment has introduced a restriction on the importation of perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA)

The restriction will be effective from 1st June 2014. Form that date, it will be prohibited to manufacture, import or export any PFOA and any of its salts or esters. The restriction will also apply importing, exporting or selling any consumer product that contains the substance.

The limits have been set for liquid products, solid products and for textiles as below:

PFOA has been used in a variety of consumer products for many years. One of the significant uses of the substance has been to provide water resistant coatings to textile products. PFOA related substances have also been used to provide stain resistant coatings to apparel, other textile products and to carpets.

The Ministry has moved to implement the measure as the substance has been shown to be harmful to health and the environment. PFOA has been classified as being a PBT (persistent, bioaccumalative toxin) and is considered as a substance for concern.