PFAS in the Healthcare Sector: Innovations for a Sustainable Future in Europe

As part of the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Program, the research project "PFAS - Exposure, Emissions and End-of-Life in the Healthcare Sector" was launched in January 2025 by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). The aim of the project is to promote collaboration in the healthcare sector, reduce PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) emissions and exposure and to evaluate safe alternatives.

The initiative focuses on several key objectives:

• Health innovation and competitiveness: it aims to help promote cross-sectoral health innovation that will keep the European healthcare industry competitive and support the objectives of the European Industrial and Pharmaceutical Strategy.
• Life cycle perspective: PFAS risks are considered along the entire life cycle, including the identification of entry and release points in the healthcare industry.
• Risk reduction: Novel measures for safe disposal, reuse and recycling are to be developed.
• Alternative solutions: The project aims to develop PFAS substitutes that meet regulatory requirements without compromising quality, safety or environmental performance.
• EU leadership: The EU should position itself as a pioneer for sustainable PFAS alternatives in order to secure the supply of pharmaceuticals, avoid dependence on non-EU countries and retain R&D activities in Europe.
• Cooperation: Collaboration between stakeholders will be strengthened to reduce emissions and exposure until alternatives are available.
• Knowledge transfer: The exchange of industry knowledge and best practices should influence future PFAS policy.
• Planning certainty: Medical technology manufacturers should be given long-term planning certainty through clear guidelines in order to ensure sustainability and patient access.

The target groups are medical technology and pharmaceutical manufacturers, competent authorities, waste disposal companies, hospitals and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The project follows a two-stage application process: The submission deadline for the first phase is April 23, 2025, and the deadline for the second phase is October 14, 2025. Further information is available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.