We have received the information regarding requirements for prohibition of fire-extinguishing media containing Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) from ClassNK.

At the 107th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 107) held in May 2023, amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 prohibiting fire-extinguishing media containing PFOS were adopted as Resolution MSC.532(107). Furthermore, at the MSC 110 in June 2025, a unified interpretation regarding verification by the maker’s declarations and laboratory test reports that the extinguishing media containing PFOS are not used or stored on ships was adopted as MSC.1/Circ.1694.

These amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2026. From this date, the use or storage of extinguishing media containing PFOS (above 10 mg/kg [0.001% by weight]) will be prohibited.

In order to verify that foam fire-extinguishing media do not contain PFOS, one of the following documents is to be kept on board:

1. Maker’s declaration
   
2. Laboratory test reports

Where such documents are not available, sampling and testing on board are required.

The requirements apply to ships engaged on international voyages. At surveys, new ships will be checked at the Classification Survey during Construction, and existing ships at the first Safety Equipment Survey on or after 1 January 2026. For ships where foam fire-extinguishing media are replaced or newly installed after delivery, the documents are to be confirmed at the periodical Classification Survey.

For details, please find attached ClassNK Technical Information.