Key takeaway
What This Development Means
Stakeholders with info on PFAS or alternatives in firefighting foams, especially in GB, are urged to engage in further dialogue with the Agency. Use Foresight.
Source basis: https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/crd-reach/pfas-fire-fighting-foams/
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency are seeking vital information and evidence related to firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This initiative aims to gather comprehensive data to support the development of a UK REACH restriction report addressing the risks these substances pose to human health and the environment. The deadline for the current call is 24 June 2024.
Stakeholder Engagement
In the first instance, stakeholders are encouraged to identify themselves as willing participants in further dialogue with the Agency throughout the restrictions process. The Agency is particularly interested in hearing from those with relevant information on PFAS or alternatives in firefighting foams, especially within the context of Great Britain.
Types Of Information Requested
Manufacturing And Importation
Manufacture of Firefighting Foams: Details on substances used, manufacturing processes, and quantities.Import of Firefighting Foam Products: Information on quantities and suppliers of all types of firefighting foams.
Usage And Alternatives
Use: Data on quantities used, sectors of use, frequency, on-site storage, and specific products used.Alternatives to PFAS in Firefighting Foams: Information on availability, cost, performance comparisons, and barriers to switching to non-PFAS alternatives.
Safety And Environmental Impact
Hazardous Properties: Safety data sheets, studies on intrinsic properties and exposure, and recommended risk management measures.Environmental Fate: Information on what happens to the foam post-use and its environmental dispersal.Waste: Details on disposal requirements, recycling opportunities, and remediation efforts.
Standards And Regulations
Standards: Information on product-specific legislation, performance standards, and certification requirements.
Target Audience
This call for evidence targets companies involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, and retailing firefighting foams, as well as professional users, trade associations, environmental and consumer organisations, and other stakeholders with relevant information.
Consent For Further Contact
Participants are asked to indicate whether they consent to being contacted for further information by answering the relevant question in the survey provided.
Use Of Information
The data collected will support the development of a restriction dossier under UK REACH, focusing on the risks to human health and the environment from the use of PFAS in firefighting foams. Contributions should be backed by references and reliable data, including facts and figures.
Background
In April 2023, the Agency published a Risk Management Options Analysis (RMOA) on PFAS, highlighting several concerns:
Persistence: PFAS substances or their degradation products remain in the environment for long periods.Mobility: High potential for widespread dispersal and contamination, including in water environments.Uncertainty: Long-term adverse impacts on the environment and human health are not fully understood.
One primary recommendation was to initiate a restriction proposal to address significant environmental emissions from PFAS in firefighting foams.
Related Articles
UK REACH Alignment With EU Rules To Shape Chemicals Compliance
The UK plans to use EU chemicals rules as the starting point for UK REACH, reducing the risk of duplicated assessments and regulatory divergence.
UK’s First-Ever Plan To Tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’
The UK has published its first plan to address PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), outlining a framework for monitoring, evidence-gathering, and potential regulatory action.
Environment Agency Review Highlights Gaps In Airborne PFAS Monitoring And Regulation
New Environment Agency report on airborne PFAS reveals major data gaps, urging improved monitoring and standardised analysis across the chemicals value chain.
