This guidance offers a systematic approach to constructing inventories of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF); perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds; and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salt and PFHxS-related compounds, all listed under the Stockholm Convention.
These compounds, belonging to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class, share similarities in chemical and physical properties, necessitating comprehensive inventory guidance. PFAS have a long history of use since the 1940s, found in numerous industrial and consumer products, leading to widespread environmental contamination and adverse effects on human health. Their persistence, mobility and complex nature pose significant challenges to global efforts in remediation and management.
The Stockholm Convention has recognized the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination, reflected in amendments listing PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS and their related compounds. The guidance aims to support nations in meeting their obligations under the convention by facilitating the development of thorough inventories for effective management and mitigation strategies.
The target audience is the national focal points of the Stockholm Convention, policymakers, government officials, consultants and experts involved in the NIP review and update process.
Within the framework of the “Global Development, Review and Update of NIPs under the Stockholm Convention on POPs” project to assist countries to review and update their NIPs, the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is executing Component 4, which focuses on the dissemination of information, management of knowledge and liaising with the Stockholm Convention Secretariat in providing information and tools to be integrated with existing materials and to make them easily accessible and understandable by all parties to the convention.