The European Commission confirmed support for banning PFAS in consumer products during a structured dialogue with the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee on 13 May 2025, clarifying its stance ahead of the forthcoming REACH regulation revision.
Commission Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné stated:
“The Commission is in favour of banning them in consumer products, not in industrial applications, which are the most critical where there aren't yet alternatives available.”
This position reflects the Commission’s strategy to balance public health priorities with industrial competitiveness, a point that triggered robust discussion among MEPs with diverging priorities.
Commission Prioritises Speed and Simplification
Séjourné highlighted ongoing concerns with regulatory delays under REACH, stating:
“We can't remain so slow if we really want to keep up with the changes. And the first priority and requirement that I would say is to speed up proceedings.”
He described how the revised REACH would focus on broader restrictions over individual authorisations and seek digitalisation to assist SMEs with compliance.
“One of the objectives we can set collectively is to make a reform which would speed up proceedings for public health and citizens health and authorisation of companies and not just leave them kind of up in the air.”
MEPs Respond with Health and Industry Warnings
MEPs offered strong and varied responses. Peter Liese (EPP) supported banning PFAS in non-essential contexts but warned against excessive restrictions:
“We cannot and we must not prohibit PFAS when it is about critical use like hydrogen, wind power, vaccination, medical devices.”
He added:
“We cannot start with a bolt ban and then see what kind of derogations we do. We need to be really sophisticated, really targeted and not endanger the industrial base of the chemical industry.”
Jutta Paulus (Greens) raised health concerns and the long-known risks associated with PFAS:
“The problematic characteristics of these products have been known for at least 70 years… How do you want to ensure through REACH that such catastrophes do not happen again in the future?”
Christophe Clergeau (S&D) referenced recent findings from Horizon Europe-funded research:
“We had a research programme financed by Horizon Europe called Athlete on the impact of chemical products on child health. And we saw that there were already accumulations of PFAS, which were one of the key markers for deterioration of child health, peaking around eight years.”
Next Steps Under REACH Revision
The Commission is preparing the REACH revision for late 2025, with ECHA’s recommendations on PFAS expected by the end of 2026. However, Séjourné suggested this may be too late:
“2026 is going to seem too late for many associations who rightly are trying to protect public health... So let me suggest, and we will do this quickly, to carry out a revision of ECHA and get an action plan over the next few months.”
Note: All quotes were transcribed from the ENVI committee debate on 13 May 2025. They reflect the official meeting interpretation provided by European Parliament translators and may contain minor inaccuracies due to live translation. For precise statements, refer to the official video recording or transcript.
