The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published an updated version of the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s REACH regulation. The update was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, who originally submitted the proposal in January 2023.
The updated restriction proposal follows the evaluation of over 5,600 scientific and technical comments received during a six-month consultation in 2023. The revised report, known as the Background Document, incorporates new assessments and will serve as the basis for opinions from ECHA’s Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) committees. Further updates may follow depending on the committees' evaluations.
As part of the revision, the authorities identified eight additional sectors not specifically addressed in the initial proposal: 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 including solvents and catalysts.
In addition to the previously proposed full ban or time-limited derogations, the update explores alternative restriction options. These would permit continued manufacture, placing on the market, or use of PFAS under specific conditions where risks can be controlled. These options have been assessed for PFAS manufacturing, transport, electronics and semiconductors, energy, sealing applications, machinery applications, and technical textiles.
ECHA’s RAC and SEAC committees are continuing their evaluation of the proposal. Once their opinions are finalized, the European Commission will decide on the restriction in consultation with EU Member States.