With the entry into force of the local standard “Water Pollutant Discharge Standard for Chemical Industrial Parks in Sichuan Province (DB51/3202—2024)” on July 1, 2025, specific discharge limits for the PFAS compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were established for the first time in the Chinese province of Sichuan. This regulation thus represents significant progress in the regulation of so-called “new pollutants.”
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is an international treaty that has aimed since 2004 to protect people and the environment from long-lived, bioaccumulative chemicals.
The People’s Republic of China is a party to the Convention and is gradually transposing its requirements into national law. Implementation is carried out through:
• Restrictions on production and use (e.g., limited to specific industrial applications)
• Introduction of environmental standards and limits, such as the new regulations in Sichuan
• Stronger monitoring of emissions and industrial processes
Substances such as PFOS and PFOA have already been incorporated into national legislation and are now subject to bans or strict restrictions on production, use, and import and export.
The establishment of specific discharge limits for PFOA and PFOS in Sichuan represents a significant step forward in the development of China’s environmental regulations. For the first time, these persistent pollutants are being systematically integrated into regional emission standards. At the same time, it is becoming clear that China is increasingly translating the requirements of the Stockholm Convention into practical measures at the national and regional levels—particularly through restrictions on use, the establishment of limit values, and more intensive monitoring of environmental pollution.
Our module on the POP Regulation in DataCross covers all requirements of the Stockholm Convention, including current developments such as the new standard “Water Pollutant Discharge Standard for Chemical Industrial Parks in Sichuan Province (DB51/3202—2024).”
It specifically protects the environment and human health from persistent organic pollutants—chemicals that are long-lived, bioaccumulative, toxic, and globally mobile. The module currently covers 30 to 35 relevant individual substances and substance groups and provides a clear roadmap for fully implementing regulatory requirements.
Violations of POP regulations can result in significant consequences, such as sales bans, product recalls, market surveillance, or fines.
With our module, you can turn regulatory requirements into a strategic advantage, comply with regulations, and position your company as a responsible, future-proof market participant.
We would be happy to advise you on how to efficiently implement the POP Regulation, minimize risks, and simultaneously achieve operational and economic benefits.