EU Plans Further Restriction of PFAS

On 7 February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a Restriction Dossier for a further restriction of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal includes limits for single substances as well as for total Fluorine.

A public consultation will follow.

Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals that, due to their water-, grease- and dirt-repellent properties, are widely used in industrial processes. They can be present in numerous consumer products such as paper, textiles, ski wax, electronic products, wall paints, cleaning agents or pans.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a proposal to ban the manufacture, use and placing on the market of PFAS under REACH. The aim of the ban is to reduce the release of PFASs into the environment as they are classified as persistent chemicals.

After scientific evaluation by Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) a six-month public consultation will start (expected in March).

Proposal
Definition of PFAS will cover a wide range of fluorinated substances and is given as” any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it).”

The proposal sets three different limits and introduces a requirement for total Fluorine as well:

- 25 ppb for any PFAS as measured with targeted PFAS analysis (polymeric PFASs excluded from quantification)
- 250 ppb for the sum of PFASs measured as sum of targeted PFAS analysis, optionally with prior degradation of precursors (polymeric PFASs excluded from quantification)
- 50 ppm for PFASs (polymeric PFASs included). If total fluorine exceeds 50 mg F/kg the manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall upon request provide to the enforcement authorities a proof for the fluorine measured as content of either PFASs or non-PFASs.

The proposal shall apply 18 months from entry into force of the restriction. Several exemptions are proposed as well.

Additional Information
Restriction Dossier (Annex XV report): Annex XV reporting format 040615 (europa.eu)

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