ECHA announces sectors under scrutiny for PFAS restriction

ECHA has announced sectors it will examine from October for EU's proposed universal PFAS ban, saying risk (RAC) and socio-economic (SEAC) assessment committees will evaluate will focus on fluorinated gases, transport and construction products.

The announcement of the new sectors follows a statement by a European Commission official, indicating that the restriction proposal would go through all the sectors "during the course of next year".

SEAC chair Maria Ottati says the committees were taking "every effort to progress the opinion making". "We will be delivering this proposal to the Commission in the shortest possible timeframe, while making sure the opinions are as high quality as can be," adding the committees are dependent on how the five countries that submitted the initial dossier are able to update their report.

In their June meetings, the committees reached provisional conclusions on consumer mixtures (cleaners, polishes and waxes), cosmetics, ski wax and metal plating.

About the hazards of PFAS, the primary concern is their persistence, although some substances may be of additional concern to the environment and human health. The committee also considered that the exclusion of certain PFAS from the scope based on their potential degradation in the environment is not sufficiently justified.

Multiple sectors are pushing for an exemption for fluoropolymers, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), due steps taken to control emissions. But the issue is controversial and scientists have recently recommended that they are still included.

Committee considered derogations, based on the availability and cost of alternatives for the different uses, and an assessment of proportionality of the restriction.

The conclusions agreed at RAC and SEAC meetings are provisional, until the committees finalise the evaluation of the entire restriction proposal and adopt their opinions.

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