Progress Update on the PFAS Restriction Process

The EU is working on a restriction proposal for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), submitted in January 2023 by authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. PFAS are synthetic substances known for their persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation, and toxic effects. The aim is to minimise PFAS emissions by replacing them where alternatives exist while allowing limited use in cases lacking viable substitutes.

What is the current status?

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) are reviewing the proposal sector by sector due to the broad scope (10,000+ substances across 14+ sectors). To date, the RAC has reached a provisional conclusion on the hazard assessment of PFAS. In addition, provisional conclusions have been reached by the RAC and SEAC on five sectors: consumer mixtures and miscellaneous consumer articles, cosmetics, ski wax, metal plating and manufacture of metal products and petroleum and mining.

Over 5,600 comments were received during a six-month public consultation, providing valuable data on PFAS hazards, uses, alternatives, and socio-economic impacts. This input has led to updates in the dossier and the identification of new PFAS uses, such as sealing applications, technical textiles, and printing materials.

The input from the consultation helps the Dossier Submitters to progressively update and improve the information on PFAS in the form of a Background Document. It also helps to identify uses that were not yet specifically named in the initial restriction dossier, incorporating these into existing sector assessments or creating additional sectors, as necessary.

Examples of newly identified uses are:

  • Sealing applications: a broad range of fluoropolymer uses in consumer, professional and industrial applications, including seals, pipe lining, gaskets, valve parts, etc. Read more: ECHA Recognizes Sealing Applications in PFAS Restriction Process: A Promising Development for the Sealing Industry
  • Technical textiles: uses of PFAS in, for example, high-performance membranes, medical applications that are not covered in medical devices, outdoor technical textiles (like tarps).
  • Printing applications: permanent parts and consumables for printing applications. Other medical applications (e.g., packaging and excipients for pharmaceuticals).

Fluoropolymers are one example of a group of PFAS with high interest for stakeholders, and the consultation has brought further insight into the availability of alternatives for certain uses of these polymers, technical and organisational measures to minimise their emissions in the environment, and potential socio-economic impacts of a ban of their manufacture, placing on the market and use. Specific attention is being given to this group by all actors in the opinion development process.

The initial PFAS restriction dossier contains two restriction options: a full ban or a ban with time-limited derogations (where alternatives are not yet available). The latter option is currently favoured by the Dossier Submitters to enable a smooth transition to substitutes without disrupting critical applications, such as those vital for the green energy transition.

This assessment is currently underway for the use of PFAS in certain industrial applications, e.g., medical devices, batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers and semiconductors.

As an additional result of this process, more has become known about the use of PFAS, which has resulted in all parties becoming more aware of the associated concern.

Just released from the Press – Helsinki, 5 December 2024

In their last meetings for 2024, RAC and SEAC provisionally concluded their evaluation of the following sectors from the EU-wide proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):

  • Construction products;
  • Textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel and carpets; and
  • Food contact materials and packaging.

The committees also announced more sectors they will evaluate in the upcoming meetings. In March, they are expected to discuss applications of fluorinated gases, transport and energy for the first time.

After March, the next sectors for discussion are:

  • Lubricants
  • Medical devices
  • Electronics and semiconductors

The RAC and SEAC will further work on the opinion development progress in 2025, followed by further consultations on socio-economic aspects.

The European Commission will ultimately decide on the restriction in consultation with EU Member States.

Sandy Van den Broeck
ESG Director, ESA