Substitution of PFOS for use in nondecorative hard chrome plating

estimated the use of PFOS-related substances in the metal plating industry in
the EU was between 8,600 and 10,000 kg.
According to the European Commission (2010), the following countries have
reported that PFOS is “not used in processes subject under the derogation in
paragraph 3 (c) of Directive 2006/122/EC”, i.e. mist suppressants for nondecorative
hard chrome plating (chromium-(VI)) and wetting agents for use
in controlled electroplating systems: Bulgaria, Denmark (however, this is not
true according to the discoveries in this project), Estonia, Greece, Spain,
Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta,
Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia.
This means that the total use in the EU today is estimated to be around 2,684
to 3,194 kg and probably larger, if some of the countries above have not
registered a use of PFOS, although PFOS still are used (as is the case of
Denmark). The sum of 2,684 to 3,194 kg is found by adding the amounts (or
ranges) reported by Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, the UK, France,
and the Netherlands together with the amounts of PFOS sold to Nordic
countries (reported by suppliers in this project).
However, it is clear that the use of PFOS has declined drastically because of
the restriction of the use of PFOS in 2008. The estimated use of 10,000 kg
PFOS in 2003 is therefore drastically reduced. However, this amount of
10,000 kg also covered the entire metal plating industry and not only nondecorative
hard chrome plating.
Europe
The amount listed above covers the EU countries. The amount of PFOS used
in Europe is larger. Switzerland (below) is the only non-EU European country
where information of the use of PFOS has been found.
2.2.13 Switzerland
According to the OECD (2005) survey, the use of PFOS for metal plating in
the year 2000 was estimated to be 190 kg.
A substance flow analysis of PFOS and PFOA in Switzerland has been
performed. According to that survey, the use of PFOS for metal plating (mist
suppressant and surfactant) was estimated to be about 300 kg of PFOS
annually (but within the range of 200-500 kg annually) for the year 2007
(FOEN, 2009).
2.2.14 Canada
Canada performed in 2005 a use pattern survey of PFOS (CEPA, 2006).
Companies were required to report if they were involved in manufacture,
export, or import of PFOS in amounts exceeding 100 kg in concentrations of
greater than 10 grams per kilogram for the 2004 calendar year. The survey
showed that the import of PFOS related compounds have essentially ceased
since 2002 and showed that there are no manufactures or exporters of PFOS
in Canada. Only one substance was imported into Canada representing a
quantity of approximately 3 tons of PFOS. The imported substance was sold
as a product that is used as a surfactant in the electroplating sector. The
survey stated that the potential does exist for PFOS and PFOS containing
products and articles to be imported into Canada in greater quantities in the
future as some PFOS production has been identified in other countries.
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