Seals industry concern as PFAS consultation reaches “critical stage”

Brussels – Europe’s sealing industry has warned that proposed PFAS restrictions could have “substantial” economic and industrial consequences as regulators move into what has been described as a “critical stage” of the EU consultation process.

The warning comes as the European Chemicals Agency’s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) reviews feedback on proposed PFAS restrictions covering manufacturing, market placement and use across multiple industries.

In a position statement published 21 May, European Sealing Association (ESA) ESG director Sandy Van den Broeck said the consultation phase was particularly important for sealing applications, which rely heavily on fluoropolymers including PTFE, FEP and PFA.

According to the ESA director, these materials are valued for “high temperature resistance, chemical inertness, long service life and ultra-low contamination properties,” making them difficult or, in some cases, impossible to replace in industrial applications.

Van den Broeck pointed out that sealing technologies using fluoropolymers are widely employed across sectors including chemicals, semiconductors, aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing.

Under the current proposal, regulators are considering three options ranging from a full ban to continued use under strict conditions. A 12-year derogation for sealing applications is included under one scenario.

However, Van den Broeck said sealing applications were among “additional sectors requiring further evaluation” and had not been subject to a detailed sector-specific assessment during earlier stages of the process.

That, the ESA director warned, creates a risk that the “unique functional requirements and constraints” of sealing applications may not be fully reflected in the socio-economic analysis.

The Brussels-based association also criticised the consultation format and its limitations.

According to the ESA, the process is conducted through an online survey platform requiring EU Login registration and does not allow attachments, while responses are restricted to between 500 and 5,000 characters depending on the question.

Van den Broeck said the “character limits and lack of attachments” constrained the ability of companies to submit detailed technical evidence.

The consultation, launched 26 March and closing 25 May, focuses heavily on the socio-economic impact of restrictions, technical feasibility of alternatives, substitution timelines and supply disruption risks.

For sealing applications, the ESA said stakeholders must demonstrate “where fluoropolymers are irreplaceable,” as well as the potential industrial consequences of restrictions.

The association cited estimates suggesting restrictive PFAS scenarios could generate first-year costs of €560 billion and recurring annual costs exceeding €70 billion, affecting around 39,000 enterprises and nearly 2.9 million jobs.

“Sealing applications are deeply embedded in critical value chains,” the Van den Broeck noted, warning that disruptions could affect clean energy, transport and manufacturing industries.

In response, the ESA said it is coordinating industry input by preparing a structured response to the SEAC survey, issuing guidance to members, encouraging downstream user participation and working with other trade associations.

The group is also preparing a dedicated position paper focused on sealing applications.

“At ESA, our objective is to secure an exemption for fluoropolymers,” Van den Broeck concluded.