ECHA Committees Reach Provisional Conclusions on Sectors to Restrict PFAS
Posted on Jun 26, 2024The Risk Assessment and Social-Economic Analysis Committees of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) met in June 2024 to evaluate the proposal to restrict Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are widely used by major industries. Global manufacturers are replacing certain PFAS with other PFAS or fluorine-free substances following scientific and governmental recognition of the harmful effects of some PFAS on human health and the environment.
The ECHA committees reached provisional conclusions on a number of sectors that could be impacted by the proposal to restrict PFAS. These include:
- consumer mixtures, cosmetics and ski wax (which were discussed at their March plenary)
- metal plating and manufacture of metal products (which were discussed in June).
The Risk Assessment Committee concluded on the scope of the proposals and the hazards of PFAS. According to the committee, their primary concern is that PFAS can remain in the environment for a very long time, with additional concerns to the environment and human health.
The conclusions from both committees are currently provisional until they finalise the evaluation of the entire proposal to restrict PFAS, including sectors of use. Once their opinions are adopted, it will be communicated to the public.
In their September meetings, the following sectors will be evaluated:
- textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets
- food contact materials and packaging
- petroleum and mining
Read the full update at: https://echa.europa.eu/-/highlights-from-june-2024-rac-and-seac-meetings
Get the latest news and updates as well as information on additional substances added to the REACH banned list at https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas
