ECHA: Update on PFAS Restrictions

In November 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), joined by five European authorities from Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, has issued a progress update for the restrictions regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on their website.

The comments submitted during the 2023 consultation phase are also taken into account. Therefore, possible uses of PFAS that were not initially considered can now also be evaluated.

Further restriction options are also being discussed. So far, there are two options:

• Absolute ban on PFAS
• Ban on PFAS with a limited exemption period (due to a lack of alternatives to PFAS)

Additional consideration is now to be given to whether other forms of restrictions may be possible. The two committees RAC (Risk Assessment) and SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis) are currently examining these proposals in order to prevent negative effects, such as socio-economic impacts, on certain areas in which PFAS are used. Alternative restriction options could be considered for the use in batteries, for instance.

Further information on ECHA's approach to the restriction of PFAS is available in the news section of ECHA's website.