ECHA to consult on PFAS draft opinion in spring 2026

Helsinki – The European Chemicals Agency is planning to launch a consultation on the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the proposed EU-wide restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the Committee’s meeting in March 2026.

The SEAC draft opinion on the PFAS restriction proposal will cover the evaluation of the socio-economic aspects, including the availability of alternative substances and technologies.

In an 18 Sept statement, ECHA said that SEAC “intends to agree its draft opinion at its meeting,” which is provisionally scheduled for the first half of March 2026.

The consultation will begin shortly after this meeting and remain open for 60 days, during which stakeholders can provide feedback.

After reviewing the consultation feedback, SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026.

According to ECHA, the consultation will use a “structured survey format”, inviting participants to respond to questions on the potential impacts of restricting the use of PFAS across various sectors.

Participants will also be asked to provide specific information about the availability and feasibility of alternatives to these widely used chemicals.

The consultation is open to all interested parties, including industry representatives, non-governmental organisations, researchers and members of the public.

Stakeholders, ECHA said, are encouraged “to prepare in advance and to participate in this consultation to ensure that SEAC’s final opinion on the restriction proposal is scientifically robust and fit for purpose.”

According to ECHA, information on the risks associated with PFAS will not be considered, as these are evaluated in a separate opinion by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC).

To support interested parties, ECHA will hold an online information session on 30 Oct and will also publish consultation guidelines to help stakeholders submit relevant information.

The adoption will conclude ECHA’s committees’ scientific evaluation of the proposed restriction as announced earlier in August. (ERJ report)

The proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU/EEA was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in 2023 and aims to reduce PFAS emissions.

The six-month consultation for that proposal ran from March to September 2023.

Following evaluations by ECHA committees, authorities by the five countries published an updated proposal for the restriction of PFAS earlier in August.

ECHA’s scientific committees, comprised of independent experts from EU Member States, are evaluating the proposal.