{"id":21056,"date":"2023-02-17T12:56:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T12:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabilityservices.eurofins.com\/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e7%b1%bb\/pfas-restriction-proposes-the-largest-european-ban-ever\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:11:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:11:39","slug":"pfas-restriction-proposes-the-largest-european-ban-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainabilityservices.eurofins.com\/zh-hans\/news\/pfas-restriction-proposes-the-largest-european-ban-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS restriction proposes the largest European ban ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Published \u2013 17\/02\/2023.
\nLast Updated \u2013 2\/11\/2025.<\/p>\n

ECHA Publishes PFAS Restriction Proposal<\/span><\/h1>\n

On 13th January 2023, the submission of a PFAS restriction proposal was made to the <\/span>European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)<\/b> by five European authorities: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.<\/span><\/p>\n

The authorities collaborated on this PFAS proposal to limit the use of <\/span>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)<\/b> in the European Union after a comprehensive study spanning three years. This study examined PFAS usage, their environmental and health risks, and industry data. The evaluation involved consultation of scientific literature, stakeholder engagement, and requests for information from businesses, public authorities, and organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

On 7th February 2023, <\/span>ECHA published this restriction proposal<\/b><\/a>, which seeks to ban both the use and production of PFAS to mitigate their harmful effects on humans and the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

PFAS refers to a class of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals identified as one of the main factors of their long-lasting presence in nature and are suspected of causing various health hazards, e.g., the disruption of the endocrine system, liver toxicity, and cancer. The phrase “forever chemicals” mainly refers to these compounds that have an extremely slow degradation rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to their water and dirt-resistant properties, PFAS have been found in almost every aspect of your daily life, such as textiles, food packaging, non-stick cookware, ski waxes, electronic devices, and paints. On the industrial side, PFAS are used in chrome plating, foam suppression, and a few types of speciality plastics. The presence of PFAS in both consumer and industrial products is leading to issues with regulations and compliance, which is causing trouble for businesses located anywhere in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Proposed EU PFAS Restriction Process<\/h2>\n

The EU restriction process will follow several structured steps:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Scientific Committee Review:<\/b> ECHA\u2019s <\/span>Risk Assessment Committee (RAC)<\/b> and <\/span>Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC)<\/b> will first examine whether the restriction proposal meets REACH legal requirements. This step is crucial for scientific validation and compliance assessment.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Public Consultation:<\/b> A six-month consultation will allow stakeholders, including manufacturers, NGOs, and researchers, to provide information or opinions on the proposal. Public input ensures transparency and considers industry realities.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Committee Opinions:<\/b> RAC and SEAC will present scientific and socio-economic opinions on the proposal, expected to take up to 12 months.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. European Commission Decision:<\/b> Based on committee opinions, the European Commission will draft a final proposal for member state voting. The restriction is expected to enter into force by 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The scientific rigour as well as the socio-economic feasibility of the ban are ensured by this organised method, which balances the environmental and health advantages with the possible effects that companies dependent on PFAS may face.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Key dates in the EU PFAS restriction process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Year<\/strong><\/td>\nPFAS proposal process<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2020<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0January: First meeting\u00a0 |\u00a0 May-July: Call for evidence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2021<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0July-October: 2nd<\/sup> stakeholder consultation\u00a0 |\u00a0 October: Start of drafting of proposal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2023<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a013th<\/sup> January 2023: Submission of the dossier with the new proposal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a07th<\/sup> February 2023: The new proposal is published by ECHA.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a022nd<\/sup> March: Open consultations for 6 months (until 22nd September 2023)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a05th<\/sup> April: online information session by ECHA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2024<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0Opinion of Committees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2025<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0COM decision Entry into force<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2026 \/ 2027<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0Restriction becomes effective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


    \nEvery milestone in the timeline opens up possibilities for stakeholders to adjust their activities, carry out PFAS lab testing, and confirm that they are in line with future regulations. Enterprises are taking advantage of this interval to assess the cost of PFAS analysis, streamline their testing approach, and initiate their process changes to reduce the PFAS content in their products.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Summary of the PFAS Proposal<\/h2>\n

    PFAS are defined as: \u201cAny substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H\/Cl\/Br\/I attached).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Conditions of Restriction<\/b><\/p>\n

    1.Shall not be manufactured, used, or placed on the market as substances on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2.Shall not be placed on the market in:<\/span>
    \n<\/span> a. Another substance, as a constituent<\/span>
    \n<\/span> b. A mixture<\/span>
    \n<\/span> c. An article<\/span>
    \n<\/span>In a concentration of or above:<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/p>\n