Stricter EU regulations PFAS in extinguishing foam

PFOS: Banned since 2011

Foam fluids based on PFOS have not been produced since 2002 and in the years 2007-2011 all installations in the Netherlands and Belgium in which this type of foam concentrate was used were carefully cleaned as part of the Saval Foam Exchange Program.

Portable and mobile extinguishers with this type of foaming agent in them have not been included in the Saval maintenance file for years because the filling of these extinguishers, based on the applicable maintenance standards, was replaced by more modern foam variants at the latest in 2007. From June 2011, a total ban on PFOS will apply in Europe.

PFOA: Stricter regulations since July 4, 2020

In 2017, the European Directive 2017/1000 / EU entered into force. This stipulated that foam extinguishing agents containing PFOA may no longer be sold from July 4, 2020. According to that directive, stocks that were placed on the market before that date could also be used after July 4, 2020.

A new European Directive 2020/784 / EU was published on 8 April 2020. This contains new rules about PFOA-containing extinguishing foam.

Timeline for phasing out PFOA-containing fire-fighting foam:

• From 4 July 2020: Use (for extinguishing liquid fires) allowed. No more practicing with PFOA-containing foam. Do not test with PFOA-containing foam, unless all released foam liquid can be collected and processed;
• From 4 July 2023: Use only permitted at locations where all released foam liquid can be collected and processed. (e.g. tank storage, chemical industry);
• From 4 July 2025: No further use is allowed, (residual) stocks must be processed as hazardous waste.

PFOA in portable fire extinguishers

Since 2012, all Saval foam fluids for fire extinguishers, both in newly delivered products and in refills, are free of PFOA. Older Saval foam extinguishers that have been maintained in accordance with the applicable maintenance standards and regulations and whose filling has been replaced at the prescribed intervals no longer contain PFOA.

PFOA in foam concentrate for large-scale applications

Between 2012 and 2020, the foam concentrates for large-scale applications were also gradually converted to other formulations without PFOA. With a special analysis it can be determined whether the foam stock of your installation is PFOA free in accordance with EU regulations or not.

EU regulations impose strict limits on the amounts of PFOA that may be present. Therefore, one must be very careful when mixing old and new stocks; PFOA from old stocks can lead to newer stocks being rejected as well. The reuse of existing tanks, pipes, pumps and the like can also lead to unacceptable contamination.

The switch to PFOA-free foam must be done very carefully. Not only to eliminate these unwanted contaminants, but also to ensure that the new foam concentrate works well in combination with the flammable substances that are present and with the foam extinguishing installation. Saval's specialists have already helped dozens of customers with the phasing out of PFOS and PFOA: We know how!