Fujifilm has announced it will no longer sell Fujichrome Velvia 100 in the United States due to regulations put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The announcement, posted to Fujifilm’s website, cites a new regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which prohibits the processing and distribution of phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)) (CASRN 68937–41–7, a chemical that is found in very trace amounts in the layers of Fujichrome Velvia 100 (Fujifilm claims less than 0.0003% is found in the emulsion).
A screenshot of Fujifilm’s announcement.
The European Chemicals Agency says PIP (3:1) is found in various consumer products, including ‘lubricants and greases, coating products, adhesives and sealants, polymers, photo-chemicals and hydraulic fluids.’
While Fujifilm refutes the harm this chemical does to the environment, saying ‘Fujifilm believes that the trace amount of PIP (3:1) in the FUJICHROME Velvia 100 Professional films pose[s] no risk to the environment,’ they are still obligated to adhere to the ban, which will go into effect on September 5, 2021. Despite not being required to stop working with PIP (3:1) until September, Fujifilm says it has discontinued Velvia 100 effective immediately.
A 3D rendering of phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1).
It should go without saying that U.S. retailers will likely still have some of the emulsion available until their respective stocks are completed. As such, if you’re in the U.S. and want to get your hands on some of the last legally-available Velvia 100 before the ban, you might want to act fast. Just be sure to read the Safety Data Sheet Fujifilm has provided in regards to handling the film.
This discontinuation doesn’t affect other regions, so if you’re outside of the U.S., no need for concern. Also, while you could purchase it outside of the U.S. and attempt to bring it back (or have someone ship you some), it probably isn’t worth the risk considering it could be confiscated while going through customs.