The restrictions concern undecafluorohexanoic acid (‘PFHxA’) and substances related to it. According the Commission’s press release, the restriction concerns cases where “the risk is not adequately controlled, alternatives are available, and socio-economic costs will be limited in comparison to the human health and environmental benefits”. Textiles, food packaging materials, cosmetics as well as consumer mixtures and certain firefighting foam applications will be affected by the regulation. A transitional period of minimum 18 months and maximum 5 years will be applied, during which the concerned products will be removed.
The restrictions are introduced under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. However, despite fierce debates and significant pressure from the parliament during the previous legislative term, the complete revision of this regulation appears to be on hold. In addition, albeit these novel rules concern PFAS, a more robust regulation related to these substances is still underway. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)’s Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) continue to meet regularly to conclude an appropriate scientific report that will be forwarded to the Commission.
EuChemS, in addition to contributing to ECHA’s advice as an accredited stakeholder, also follows the lively legislative discussion on PFAS closely, and forwards the views of the chemistry community by contributing to consultations. Once the PFAS dossier reaches the Commission, EuChemS aims to foster a dialogue between concerned parties by organising a science-policy workshop on the topic.
