Regulations & History

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Firefighting foam concentrates evolution.

History Excursion

Firefighting foam concentrates evolution

1960
1960
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and 3M developed AFFF
1966
1966
AFFF main component – Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
1975
1975
Concerns about environmental impact of AFFF‘s
2000
2000
3M and EPA announce end of PFOS based foams production
2001
2001
PFOS confirmed to be highly persistent, bio accumulative and toxic
2002
2002
AFFF manufacturers transition to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
2004
2004
Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POP)
2011
2011
EU ban use of PFOS in firefighting foams
2013
2013
PFOA confirmed to be highly persistent, bio accumulative and toxic
2015
2015
AFFF manufacturers transition to C6 PFHxA and PFHxS
2019
2019
EU ban use of PFOA in firefighting foams
2021
2021
Stockholm Convention judge C6 for listing
2023
2023
ECHA is expected to ban all PFAS based foam concentrates in EU

Related EU legislation and regulations

  • Basel convention of 22 March 1989 – Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP)
  • EU-POP Regulation (EC) 850/2004 – forbids PFOS-based firefighting foams after 27.6.2011.
  • EU Water Framework Directive 2000 (EC/60/2000) and EU Groundwater Daughter Directive 2006 (EC/118/2006) – member states must prevent all organohalogens (Fluorine based substances) to enter surface or subsurface waters.
  • Directive 2012/18/EU – on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances
  • The PFOA substances that are restricted by REACH are also restricted by the directive of the European Parliament and Council No. 2019/1021.
Overview
Trends
Organisations
Main legal acts

International

Norms

Icao Airport Service Manual Part I

Tests and certificates

UL 162:
UL 162 is a standard for foam equipment and foam systems for fire protection service.

UL/ULC:
UL/ULC is a standard for foam systems for fire protection service.

EN 1568:
EN 1568 is a standard for foam concentrates for firefighting purposes.

EN 13565-2:
EN 13565-2 is a standard for foam systems for fixed fire protection.

Glossary

GreenScreen Certified TM for Firefighting Foam
It’s the worlds first ecolabel to confirm fluorine-free firefighting foam products.
They define PFAS-free as zero intentionally added PFAS to the product and PFAS contamination in the product must be less than 0.0001 percent by weight of the product (1 part per million) total organic fluorine as measured by combustion ion chromatography.

NFPA
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an organization that publishes standards and codes for fire protection and fire safety.

PFAS

Stockholm Treaty

Toxicity tests
Toxicity tests are conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of foam concentrates, specifically their effects on aquatic life.

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – USA
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
The International Fire Chiefs Association (IAFC)
The International Fire Suppression Alliance (IFSA)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / US

These organisations play various roles in setting regulations, developing guidelines, promoting best practices, and implementing restrictions regarding PFOS and other persistent organic pollutants in firefighting foams.