The European Chemicals Agency launched a 60-day public consultation on 26 March 2026, inviting stakeholders to comment on a draft opinion from its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the proposed EU-wide restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The consultation closes on 25 May 2026.
Both of ECHA's scientific committees — the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and SEAC — support an EU-wide restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of PFAS, subject to specific derogations. The committees also recommend that any restriction be complemented by effective measures to minimise emissions.
RAC, in its final opinion adopted on 2 March 2026, concludes that PFAS pose growing risks to people and the environment. The substances are highly persistent, travel long distances, contaminate groundwater and soil, and some are linked to serious health effects including cancer and reproductive harm. The Committee considers existing regulatory measures insufficient and calls for further EU-wide action. If derogations for specific uses are confirmed, RAC recommends site-specific PFAS management plans for manufacturers and industrial users, monitoring of emissions, supply-chain communication, consumer labelling, and mandatory reporting of PFAS emissions to ECHA.
SEAC, in its draft opinion agreed on 10 March 2026, supports a broad restriction while recognising that targeted derogations are needed where alternatives are not yet available and where a full ban would produce more negative than positive impacts. The Committee also supports the risk management measures recommended by RAC for derogated uses, though it notes that based on currently available information it cannot yet conclude whether those specific measures are proportionate.
The consultation uses a structured survey format available through ECHA's website. Participants are asked to respond to questions on the potential socio-economic impacts of restricting PFAS use across 14 industry sectors, including refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, electronics, medical devices, textiles, and transport. Respondents must also provide information on the availability and feasibility of alternatives in their area of use.
The consultation is open to industry representatives, non-governmental organisations, academics, government bodies, producers of PFAS alternatives, and members of the public. Information on hazards and health risks falls outside the scope of this consultation, as those aspects are covered by the RAC final opinion. Non-confidential responses will be published on ECHA's website.
ECHA has published guidance documents and a detailed sector-by-sector mapping of PFAS uses to help respondents prepare submissions. Information already submitted during the 2023 consultation should not be resubmitted.
After the consultation closes, SEAC will assess the submissions and is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026. ECHA will then submit both Committee opinions to the European Commission, which will propose a formal restriction for vote by EU Member States in the REACH Committee.
The PFAS restriction proposal was submitted to ECHA in January 2023 by authorities in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.