This guidance document provides an overview of alternatives to three groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) listed under the Stockholm Convention: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and PFOSF; perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds; and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds. It is intended to support countries, particularly developing countries and those with economies in transition, in phasing out these substances.
Recognizing that alternatives for some uses may require additional time to implement or may not yet be widely available in all countries, the guidance aims to strengthen national capacity to identify and adopt suitable replacements.
It compiles available information on the availability, suitability and implementation of alternatives, including an overview of the Stockholm Convention listings, the properties and characteristics of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, and a review of alternatives across key applications.