Exemptions - List of Specific Exemptions & Acceptable Purposes 

Specific exemptions for chemicals listed in Annex A

Chemical Activity Specific exemptions
Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters
Production As allowed for the Parties listed in the Register in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of this Annex
Use Pentachlorophenol for utility poles and cross-arms in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of this Annex
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Production None
Use Articles in use in accordance with the provisions of Part II of this Annex
Polychlorinated naphthalenes, including dichlorinated naphthalenes, trichlorinated naphthalenes, tetrachlorinated naphthalenes, pentachlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorinated naphthalenes, heptachlorinated naphthalenes, octachlorinated naphthalene
Production Intermediates in production of polyfluorinated naphthalenes, including octafluoronaphthalene
Use Production of polyfluorinated naphthalenes, including octafluoronaphthalene
Hexabromocyclododecane [1]
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register of Specific Exemptions in accordance with the provisions of part VII of Annex A
Use Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings in accordance with the provisions of part VII of Annex A
Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether [1] Use Articles in accordance with provisions of part IV of Annex A of the Convention
Tetrabromodiphenyl ether* and pentabromodiphenyl ether* [1] Use Articles in accordance with the provisions of Part V of Annex A
Technical Endosulfan and its related isomers
Production As allowed for the parties listed in the Register of Specific Exemptions
Use Crop-pest complexes as listed in accordance with the provisions of part VI of Annex A

Specific exemptions and acceptable purposes for chemicals listed in Annex B

Chemical Activity Specific exemptions and acceptable purposes
DDT (1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane) CAS No: 50-29-3
Production Acceptable purpose:
Disease vector control use in accordance with Part II of Annex B
Use Acceptable purpose:
Disease vector control in accordance with Part II of Annex B
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (CAS No: 1763-23-1), its saltsa and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride
(CAS No: 307-35-7) [2]

aFor example:
potassium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 2795-39-3);

lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 29457-72-5);

ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 29081-56-9);

diethanolammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 70225-14-8);

tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 56773-42-3);

didecyldimethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate
(CAS no. 251099-16-8).
Production Acceptable purpose:
In accordance with Part III of Annex B, production of other chemicals to be used solely for the uses below.

Specific exemption:
As allowed for Parties listed in the Register
Use Acceptable purpose:
In accordance with Part III of Annex B, for the following acceptable purposes or as an intermediate in the production of chemicals with the following acceptable purposes:
  • Photo-imaging
  • Photo-resist and anti-reflective coatings for semi-conductors
  • Etching agent for compound semi-conductors and ceramic filters
  • Aviation hydraulic fluids
  • Metal plating (hard metal plating) only in closed-loop systems
  • Certain medical devices (such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) layers and radio-opaque ETFE production, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and CCD colour filters)
  • Fire fighting foam
  • Insect baits for control of leaf-cutting ants from Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp

Specific exemption:
For the following specific uses, or as an intermediate in the production of chemicals with the following specific uses:

  • Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries
  • Metal plating (hard metal plating)
  • Metal plating (decorative plating)
  • Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines
  • Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites
  • Chemically driven oil production

To find out which countries are registered for which exemption or notified acceptable purposes, please click here