ECHA committee set to publish PFAS restriction opinion

Helsinki — The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has adopted its opinion on proposed EU-wide restrictions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The adopted position is based on an “extensive and independent evaluation” of PFAS hazards, volumes, emissions and risks, as well as the expected effectiveness and practicality of a restriction, ECHA said 4 March.

The European chemicals safety agency did not provide further details on the adopted opinion, but said that it would be published “soon”.

This evaluation is in response to a proposal, initially submitted in January 2023 by authorities in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden for a “universal restriction” covering all PFAS substances and their uses. (ERJ report)

RAC is one of two scientific committees responsible for assessing EU chemical restrictions under the REACH regulation and evaluates risks to human health and the environment linked to the manufacture, marketing and use of chemicals.

The Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) assesses the broader economic and societal impacts of proposed restrictions, including the availability of alternatives.

Helsinki-based ECHA said RAC’s opinion would be published shortly, providing full details of the assessment.

SEAC is expected to agree its draft opinion “next week”, which will then be opened to a 60-day public consultation. The committee is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026.

Once both opinions are finalised, they will be submitted to the European Commission, which will use them as the basis for proposing restriction measures to EU member states in the REACH Committee.

The PFAS proposal aims to reduce emissions of the “highly persistent” chemicals that “do not break down in the environment” and can travel long distances through water and air.