The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced significant progress in the evaluation of the EU-wide proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). During their June meetings, the Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) provisionally concluded on the impacts of the proposal across four key sectors.
The June discussions, building on the March plenary, have provisionally assessed the following sectors:
- Consumer mixtures, cosmetics, and ski wax
- Metal plating and the manufacture of metal products
The primary concern highlighted by RAC regarding PFAS is their persistence in the environment. PFAS are notorious for their durability, posing long-term environmental risks. Additionally, some PFAS are potentially hazardous to both the environment and human health. The committee also expressed scepticism about excluding certain PFAS from the restriction scope based on their potential environmental degradation, deeming the justification insufficient.
These conclusions remain provisional until the comprehensive evaluation of the restriction proposal, encompassing all sectors of use, is completed. Once finalised, the opinions of RAC and SEAC will be publicly communicated.
Looking ahead, the committees have outlined the sectors to be evaluated in their upcoming meetings. In September, the focus will shift to:
- Textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, and carpets (TULAC)
- Food contact materials and packaging
- Petroleum and mining
Following the September evaluations, discussions will move to:
- Applications of fluorinated gases
- Transport
- Construction products
ECHA is committed to advancing the opinion-making process expeditiously, incorporating updates from the five national authorities involved in the proposal. The final opinions will be submitted to the European Commission at the earliest opportunity.
These efforts reflect ECHA's dedication to addressing the environmental and health risks posed by PFAS, ensuring informed decision-making for the benefit of EU citizens and the environment.
