Substance Information
Substance Information
Substance Infocard
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related substances
Substance identity
The ‘Substance identity’ section is calculated from substance identification information from all ECHA databases. The substance identifiers displayed in the InfoCard are the best available substance name, EC number, CAS number and/or the molecular and structural formulas.
Some substance identifiers may have been claimed confidential, or may not have been provided, and therefore not be displayed.
EC (European Community) Number
The EC Number is the numerical identifier for substances in the EC Inventory. The EC Inventory is a combination of three independent European lists of substances from the previous EU chemicals regulatory frameworks (EINECS, ELINCS and the NLP-list). More information about the EC Inventory can be found here.
If the substance was not covered by the EC Inventory, ECHA attributes a list number in the same format, starting with the numbers 6, 7, 8 or 9.
The EC or list number is the primary substance identifier used by ECHA.
CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number
The CAS number is the substance numerical identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society, to substances registered in the CAS registry database. A substance identified primarily by an EC or list number may be linked with more than one CAS number, or with CAS numbers that have been deleted. More information about CAS and the CAS registry can be found here.
Molecular formula
The molecular formula identifies each type of element by its chemical symbol and identifies the number of atoms of each element found in one discrete molecule of the substance. This information is only displayed if the substance is well–defined, its identity is not claimed confidential and there is sufficient information available in ECHA’s databases for ECHA’s algorithms to generate a molecular structure.
Molecular structure
The molecular structure is based on structures generated from information available in ECHA’s databases. If generated, an InChI string will also be generated and made available for searching. This information is only displayed if the substance is well-defined, its identity is not claimed confidential and there is sufficient information available in ECHA’s databases for ECHA’s algorithms to generate a molecular structure.
More help available here.
EC / List no.: -
CAS no.: -
Mol. formula:
Hazard classification and labelling
The ‘Hazard classification and labelling’ section shows the hazards of a substance based on the standardised system of statements and pictograms established under the CLP (Classification Labelling and Packaging) Regulation. The CLP Regulation makes sure that the hazards presented by chemicals are clearly communicated to workers and consumers in the European Union. The CLP Regulation uses the UN Global Harmonised System (GHS) and European Union Specific Hazard Statements (EUH).
This section is based on three sources for information (harmonised classification and labelling (CLH), REACH registrations and CLP notifications). The source of the information is mentioned in the introductory sentence of the hazard statements. When information is available in all sources, the first two are displayed as a priority.
Please note:
The purpose of the information provided under this section is to highlight the substance hazardousness in a readable format. It does not represent a new labelling, classification or hazard statement, neither reflect other factors that affect the susceptibility of the effects described, such as duration of exposure or substance concentration (e.g. in case of consumer and professional uses). Other relevant information includes the following:
- Substances may have impurities and additives that lead to different classifications. If at least one company has indicated that the substance classification is affected by impurities or additives, this will be indicated by an informative sentence. However, substance notifications in the InfoCard are aggregated independently of the impurities and additives.
- Hazard statements were adapted to improve readability and may not correspond textually to the hazard statements codes description in the European Union Specific Hazard Statements (EUH) or the UN Global Harmonised System (GHS).
To see the full list of notified classifications and to get more information on impurities and additives relevant to classification please consult the C&L Inventory.
More information about Classification and Labelling is available in the Regulations section of ECHA website.
More help available here.
Harmonised classification and labelling (CLH)
Harmonised classification and labelling is a legally binding classification and labelling for a substance, agreed at European Community level. Harmonisation is based on the substance’s physical, toxicological and eco-toxicological hazard assessment.
The ‘Hazard classification’ and labelling section uses the signal word, pictogram(s) and hazard statements of the substance under the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) as its primary source of information.
If the substance is covered by more than one CLH entry (e.g. disodium tetraborate EC no. 215–540–4, is covered by three harmonisations: 005–011–00–4; 005–011–01–1 and 005–011–02–9), CLH information cannot be displayed in the InfoCard as the difference between the CLH classifications requires manual interpretation or verification. If a substance is classified under multiple CLH entries, a link to the C&L Inventory is provided to allow users to view CLH information associated with the substance and no text is automatically generated for the InfoCard.
It is possible that a harmonisation is introduced through an amendment to the CLP Regulation. In that case, the ATP (Adaptation to Technical Progress) number is displayed.
More info on CLH can be found here.
Classification and labelling under REACH
If available, additional information on classification and labelling (C&L) is derived from REACH registration dossiers submitted by industry. This information has not been reviewed or verified by ECHA, and may change without prior notice. REACH registration dossiers have greater data requirements (such as supporting studies) than do notifications under CLP.
Notifications under the Classification Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation
If no EU harmonised classification and labelling exists and the substance was not registered under REACH, information derived from classification and labelling (C&L) notifications to ECHA under CLP Regulation is displayed under this section. These notifications can be provided by manufacturers, importers and downstream users. ECHA maintains the C&L Inventory, but does not review or verify the accuracy of the information.
Note that for readability purposes, only the pictograms, signal words and hazard statements referred in more than 5% of the notifications under CLP are displayed.
There is no harmonised classification and there are no notified hazards by manufacturers, importers or downstream users for this substance.
Properties of concern
The ‘Properties of concern’ section shows ECHA-assigned graphical indicators for certain substance properties that are regarded as being of relevance or importance to human health and/or the environment based on the information provided to the Agency.
Properties of concern are calculated at four "levels" of certainty:
- "Recognised" - meaning that the concern is indicated in an official source. Recognised concerns are illustrated with a dark red icon. Sources for these are either a Harmonised C&L (CLP Regulation Annex VI) or in the Candidate list of substances of very high concern for authorisation (REACH).
- "Potential" - again comes from official sources only. Potential concerns are illustrated with a light red icon. For (C), (M), and (R) it means that the concern is suspected in a Harmonised C&L (CLP Regulation Annex VI), as Carc. 2, Muta. 2, or Repr. 2. For (PBT) and (ED) Potential means that the concern is under assessment in the PBT or ED assessment list, and the outcome indicates a potential ED. There are no potential (Ss) or (Sr)s.
- "Broad agreement" - comes from data submitted by industry to ECHA, and indicates that the data submitted is aligned, with >= 50% of the data submitters providing the same concern. Broad agreement concerns are illustrated with a solid outlined circle icon.
- "Minority position" - comes from data submitted by industry to ECHA, and indicates that the data submitted is not aligned. > 5% and < 50% of the data submitters have provided the concerns indicated at this "level". Minority position concerns are illustrated with a greyed out circle icon.
The following properties of concern are calculated:
- Carcinogenic (C) – Recognised carcinogen: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as Carc. 1A or 1B and/or an entry in the Candidate list. Potential carcinogen: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as a suspected carcinogen Carc.2. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is carcinogenic. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is carcinogenic. More information about carcinogenicity here.
- Mutagenic (M) – Recognised mutagen: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as Muta. 1A or 1B and/or an entry in the Candidate list. Potential mutagen: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as a suspected mutagen Muta. 2. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is mutagenic. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is mutagenic. More information about mutagenicity here.
- Toxic to Reproduction (R) – Recognised as toxic to reproduction: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as Carc. 1A or 1B and/or an entry in the Candidate list. Potentially toxic to reproduction: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as suspected toxic to reproduction Repr. 2. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is toxic to reproduction. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is toxic to reproduction. More information about reproductive toxicity here.
- Skin sensitising (Ss) – Recognised skin sensitiser: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as Skin Sens. 1, 1A, or 1B. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is a skin sensitiser. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is skin sensitising. More information about skin sensitiser here.
- Respiratory sensitising (Sr) – Recognised respiratory sensitiser: comes from a harmonised C&L classifying the substance as Resp. Sens. 1, 1A, or 1B and/or an entry in the Candidate list. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is a respiratory sensitiser. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is a respiratory sensitiser. More information about respiratory sensitiser here.
- PBT – Recognised Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) (or vPvB): comes from an entry in the Candidate list. Potential PBT: is shown for substances under assessment, and comes from an entry in the PBT assessment list. Broad agreement: comes from industry data where a majority of data submitters agree the substance is PBT. Minority position: comes from industry data where a minority of data submitters indicate the substance is PBT. More information about persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances here.
- ED – Recognised Endocrine Disruptor (ED): comes from an entry in the Candidate list. Potential ED: is shown for substances under assessment, and comes from an entry in the ED assessment list, if the outcome is not final and “Not ED”. At this time there is no industry submitted data taken into account to display an ED property of concern. More information about endocrine disrupting substances here.
- POP – Recognised Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP): comes from an entry in the Annex I, II or III to the POPs Regulation and/or an entry in the Annex A, B or C to the Stockholm Convention. Under assessment as Persistent Organic Pollutant: is shown for substances that have been proposed for their inclusion in the Stockholm Convention and are under assessment, or for which a proposal is under preparation in the European Union. Note that proposals that have been set aside, either before their submission by the EU to the Convention, or by the POP Review Committee are still indicated as "Under assessment as POP".
The substance properties displayed in this section are derived from Harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) data, entries in the Candidate list of substances of very high concern for authorisation, the PBT assessment list, the ED assessment list, REACH registered dossier data and from notifications made under CLP. A prioritisation hierarchy means that data is taken from harmonised C&L data and regulatory lists first, then REACH registrations and finally from CLP notifications. By clicking on the "More details" button you can see the exact origin(s) of each Property of Concern.
Impurities or additives: When a specific critical property is calculated from industry data and where the majority of data submitters have indicated that the property relates to cases containing impurities and/or additives, then the respective critical property icon is modified with an asterisk (*).
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Persistent Organic Pollutant |
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Persistent Organic Pollutant |
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The InfoCard summarises the non-confidential data of a substance held in the databases of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). InfoCards are generated automatically based on the data available at the time of generation.
The quality and correctness of the information submitted to ECHA remains the responsibility of the data submitter. The type of uses and classifications may vary between different submissions to ECHA and for a full understanding it is recommended to consult the source data. Information on applicable regulatory frameworks is also automatically generated and may not be complete or up to date. It is the responsibility of the substance manufacturers and importers to consult official publications, e.g. the electronic edition of the Official Journal of the European Union.
InfoCards are updated when new information is available. The date of the last update corresponds to the publication date of the InfoCard and not necessarily to the date in which the update occurred in the source data.
More help available here.
Here you can find all of the regulations and regulatory lists in which this substance appears, according to the data available to ECHA. This substance has been found in the following regulatory activities (directly, or inheriting the regulatory context of a parent substance):