PFAS committees back EU-wide restrictions, with derogations

Helsinki – The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) scientific committees have backed EU-wide restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with “appropriate derogations and controls.”

In a 26 March statement, the EU agency said the restrictions will address what it described as “growing and long-lasting risks” to people and the environment.

ECHA's position is based on the findings of its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), in its final opinion, and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC).

The draft opinion supports "an EU-wide restriction, subject to specific derogations, on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFAS." 

The agency said the conclusions mark “a major step toward EU-level measures on PFAS,” with a 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion now open until 25 May.

RAC concluded that PFAS “pose growing risks to people and the environment,” as they are “highly persistent” and can travel long distances, leading to contamination of groundwater and soil.

Where derogations (related ERJ report) are granted, RAC called for “risk management measures to minimise emissions.”

These, it said, include “site?specific PFAS management plans for manufacturers and industrial users, including monitoring of emissions and supply?chain communication on PFAS use."

RAC also called for reporting of PFAS emissions from manufacturing and industrial sites to ECHA.

“The final RAC opinion and scientific evidence is clear that PFAS can cause risks to people and environment if not properly controlled,” said RAC chair Roberto Scazzola.

“An EU-wide restriction is, therefore, an effective measure to reduce these risks,” he said.

SEAC, however, supported “targeted derogations” where “alternatives are not available” and where cost-benefit analysis justifies continued use, to ensure the restriction remains “proportionate.”

“The SEAC draft opinion supports a broad restriction on PFAS, while recognising the need for targeted derogations to keep the measure proportionate and workable,” said SEAC chair María Ottati.

“This balanced approach will reduce PFAS emissions while allowing certain uses to continue where an immediate ban would… lead to more negative than positive impacts.”

However, SEAC noted it “cannot conclude whether these specific measures are proportionate” based on current information.

The agency said stakeholders including industry, NGOs and researchers are invited to submit “evidence-based comments” during the consultation period.

SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026.

After that both committees’ findings will be submitted to the European Commission, which will propose regulation for discussion and vote by EU Member States.