On May 12, 2023, the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention made a significant decision to eliminate the use of three persistent organic pollutants. These substances include the pesticide Methoxychlor, the industrial chemical Dechlorane Plus, and UV-328, and they have been added to Annex A of the Convention. In the near future, the Parties to the Convention will take action to regulate these three substances, and the European Union will also incorporate them into the EU POPs regulation.

Minnesota has passed a restriction bill for PFAS with a vote of 72 in favor and 57 against in the House of Representatives, and 35 in favor and 32 against in the Senate. On May 19th, the restriction bill was submitted to the governor. If the bill (HF 2310) becomes law, Minnesota will become the first state in the Midwest to mandate disclosure and comprehensive restrictions on products containing intentionally added PFAS substances.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) refer to substances that contain at least one perfluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/CI/Br/I). According to existing data, there are over 10,000 substances that meet this definition.

The European Commission published the amendment to the POPs Regulation in its Official Journal on April 28, 2023 - (EU) 2023/866, primarily updating certain exemptions related to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and PFOA-related compounds in points 3, 4, and 5. This amendment shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal, and Member States shall adopt and publish the relevant laws, regulations, or administrative provisions by no later than August 18, 2023.