EU Committees Advance Sectoral Assessment of PFAS Restriction Proposal

The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) scientific committees continue to make steady progress in the evaluation of the proposed REACH restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). During meetings in March 2025, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) provided updated evaluations for several industrial uses, with further discussions planned in the coming months.

Key Developments in PFAS Assessment

• Fluorinated gases: Both the RAC and SEAC reached provisional conclusions. SEAC reviewed different derogation options and their cost-effectiveness.

• Transport and energy: RAC has finalized its hazard and risk assessment; SEAC will finalise its socio-economic assessment in June 2025.

• Medical devices and lubricants: To be reviewed by SEAC in June 2025, focusing on available data and potential derogations.

• Electronics and semiconductors: Evaluations to begin in June and continue in September due to technical complexity.

• Textiles for workers, food contact materials, and consumer mixtures: RAC has issued provisional conclusions; SEAC review is ongoing.

• Other uses: Sectors such as metal plating and industrial sprays are still under socio-economic review by SEAC.

Next Steps

The proposal, submitted by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, aims to restrict widespread uses of PFAS in several sectors. ECHA is continuing its scientific evaluation, while the RAC and SEAC are making progress on a sector-by-sector basis. While no formal deadline has been set, ECHA has stated that it will deliver its final opinions to the European Commission as soon as possible, ensuring transparency, independence, and high quality in the process.

A sector-by-sector overview of the current evaluation status is available here.