ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations

 The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), in its final opinion, and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC), in its draft opinion, support an EU-wide restriction, subject to specific derogations, on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFAS. The Committees also recommend that any restriction should be complemented by effective measures to minimise emissions. The scientific conclusions of RAC and the draft opinion of SEAC mark a major step toward EU-level measures on PFAS.

Today’s publication also launches the 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion, with stakeholders invited to submit comments until 25 May.


RAC final opinion

RAC concludes that PFAS pose growing risks to people and the environment. They are highly persistent, remaining in the environment for long periods, travelling long distances, contaminating groundwater and soil, while some cause serious health issues, such as cancer and reproductive harm. The Committee considers that regulatory measures currently in place are not sufficient to control their emissions and, therefore, further EU-wide regulatory action is needed to control these risks.


RAC recommends risk management measures to minimise emissions if derogations for specific uses are confirmed by the decision makers. These measures include site‑specific PFAS management plans for manufacturers and industrial users, including monitoring of emissions, supply‑chain communication on PFAS use, clear consumer labelling and instructions for safe use and disposal. RAC also calls for reporting of PFAS emissions from manufacturing and industrial sites to ECHA.


SEAC’s draft opinion

SEAC’s draft opinion highlights that PFAS are used in many different applications across Europe. EU-wide action is, therefore, needed to avoid trade distortions and maintain a level playing field in the internal market. The Committee considers that targeted derogations are needed for specific PFAS uses, when this is justified by the available evidence that alternatives are not available as well as by the assessment of costs and benefits, to ensure the restriction remains proportionate.

The SEAC draft opinion also supports introducing risk management measures to minimise PFAS emissions for derogated uses, as recommended by RAC. However, based on currently available information, the Committee cannot conclude whether these specific measures are proportionate.


María Ottati, Chairperson of SEAC said:

“The SEAC draft opinion supports a broad restriction on PFAS, while recognising the need for targeted derogations to keep the measure proportionate and workable. This balanced approach will reduce PFAS emissions while allowing certain uses to continue where an immediate ban would, on balance, lead to more negative than positive impacts.”


RAC adopted its final opinion on 2 March, while SEAC agreed its draft opinion on 10 March 2026.


Have your say on SEAC’s draft opinion

The 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion is now open until 25 May 2026. Stakeholders — including industry, non-governmental organisations, researchers and members of the public — are invited to provide evidence‑based comments through the structured consultation survey.

ECHA has published consultation guidelines and a mapping of PFAS uses to help contributors prepare and submit relevant information. The Agency encourages participants to carefully review the draft opinion and follow the guidelines to ensure their input is as useful as possible to help shape SEAC’s final opinion.


Next steps

SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion, considering new information received in the consultation where relevant, by the end of 2026. This adoption will conclude ECHA’s Committees’ scientific evaluation of the proposed restriction and the opinions will be formally submitted to the European Commission. Based on the two final opinions, the Commission will propose a restriction for discussion and vote in the REACH Committee, composed of EU Member States.


source : ECHA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Robotic 3D printing can compete with traditional boatbuilding

Image
Today's KNOWLEDGE Share “Robotic 3D printing can compete with traditional boatbuilding”, Simone Barbera and Mattia De Santis, Caracol V2 catamaran was printed in Italy at Caracol’s production center and headquarter in Barlassina, near Milan, with a Heron AM 400, Caracol’s robotic Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) platform. The lattest was specifically configured with a 7-axis robotic arm mounted on a rail, enabling the printing of parts up to 10 meters in length. How did the collaboration between V2 Group and Caracol come about? Simone Barbera : The collaboration between V2 Group and Caracol originated from a shared vision to revolutionize boat manufacturing through sustainable innovation. V2 Group, a Spanish-company specialized in nautical design and engineering, is seeking to develop electric vessels manufactured sustainably. On the other hand, Caracol, leader in robotic advanced manufacturing technology, had had years of experience working with Large Format Additive Ma...
Read more

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : What Is Going Wrong in UK Plastics Recycling?

Image
Today's KNOWLEDGE Share What Is Going Wrong in UK Plastics Recycling? Biffa shut its Sunderland plant. Viridor walked away from Avonmouth and Rochester. Yes Recycling Fife collapsed within a year. All three were backed by major investments All three had buyers lined up for recyclate All three are now offline This is not bad luck It is bad structure Over the next four posts I will break down: 1. Why cheap virgin imports are undercutting UK recyclers 2. How weak policy enforcement is fuelling market failure 3. What volatile PRNs and cheap exports are doing to infrastructure 4. Why demand from brands is softer than their promises Let’s start with the first: **Cheap Virgin Resin = Broken Economics** Virgin PE, PP, and PET have been flooding the global market. New capacity in Asia and the US has driven prices down 30 to 40 percent. Meanwhile, recycled plastic costs more to produce in the UK than it can sell for. We are asking UK recyclers to compete with materials made in places with – ...
Read more

Borealis’ new compounding line in Belgium offers premium recyclate-based polyolefins

Image
 Borealis is proud to announce that its new compounding line for recyclate-based polyolefins (rPO) is now fully operational in Beringen, Belgium. This milestone marks a significant step forward in helping customers meet their circularity and sustainability targets—without sacrificing performance and reliability. Using Borealis’ proprietary Borcycle M mechanical recycling technology, the line combines post-consumer and virgin polyolefins into rigid polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) compounds that meet the high standards required for demanding applications in mobility, consumer products, appliances, and energy. The Beringen facility is not only designed to process a wide range of recyclate flakes, offering exceptional versatility to meet diverse customer needs, but it also serves as a platform for collaboration—enabling customers to co-develop and test new solutions that bring recycled plastics into high-value applications. “This installation is more than just a technological ...
Read more