The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published an updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH.
The update has been prepared by authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, who submitted the initial proposal in January 2023.
The five authorities, acting as the Dossier Submitter, have completed their evaluation of the more than 5,600 scientific and technical comments received from third parties during the 2023 consultation.
Based on the evidence gathered, they have updated their initial restriction proposal. This updated report, called the Background Document, forms the basis for opinions from ECHA committees.
This document may still be updated further, based on committee evaluation.
The five authorities have, among other things, identified and carried out assessments for eight sectors that were not specifically named in the initial proposal. These sectors are:
- printing applications;
- sealing applications;
- machinery applications;
- other medical applications, such as immediate packaging and excipients for pharmaceuticals;
- military applications;
- explosives;
- technical textiles; and
- broader industrial uses, such as solvents and catalysts.
In addition, they have considered alternative restriction options, beyond a full ban or a ban with time-limited derogations for certain applications.
These options involve conditions allowing the continued manufacture, placing on the market or use of PFAS where the risks can be controlled. These alternative options have been assessed by the Dossier Submitter for:
- PFAS manufacturing;
- transport;
- electronics and semiconductors;
- energy;
- sealing applications;
- machinery applications; and
- technical textiles.
ECHA’s scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) continue to evaluate the proposed restriction. The Agency aims to provide the European Commission with a transparent, independent, and high-quality RAC and SEAC opinion as soon as possible.
The European Commission will ultimately decide on the restriction in consultation with the EU Member States.
In its latest note, the ECHA states the collective goal is to “allow for appropriate action to be taken to protect human health and the environment, as soon as is practicably possible.”
While good progress has been made gathering opinions from the 14 sectors covered by the original proposal, a sector specific evaluation of the extra eight sectors won’t be carried out. Full details of the latest ECHA note here.
