ECHA reports ‘strong stakeholder engagement’ over PFAS consultation

Helsinki – More than 3,500 comments were submitted during a 60 day consultation on the draft opinion of the European Chemicals Agency’s Committee for Socio Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the proposed restriction of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), it has been reported.

In a 3 June statement, ECHA said 3,511 comments from more than 3,200 organisations and 250 individuals were received during the consultation, which ran from 26 March to 25 May.

The agency said the process “attracted strong engagement from stakeholders across industry, civil society, academia and public authorities

Figures published by ECHA show that comments were submitted from a wide range of countries, led by Germany, Japan and Belgium.

The consultation was structured across multiple surveys, including one covering the general aspects of the opinion, one on PFAS manufacturing, and 14 additional surveys addressing specific sectors evaluated by SEAC.

According to ECHA, contributions focused on “the socio-economic impacts of the proposed restriction, including availability of alternatives, transition periods, cost implications and potential impacts on competitiveness.

SEAC said it is now assessing the submissions, noting that “comments providing relevant, evidence-based socio-economic information are being assessed to confirm or modify the committee’s conclusions presented in the draft opinion.”

The agency said the contributions received during the consultation have already been published on its website, while “information marked as confidential by consultees is not made public.”

SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026, which will conclude the scientific evaluation by ECHA’s committees and lead to the opinions being formally submitted to the European Commission.

The Commission will then propose a restriction for discussion and vote in the REACH Committee, composed of EU member states.

ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment adopted its final opinion 2 March, while SEAC agreed its draft opinion, subject to an additional 60 day consultation, 10 March.