On November 20, 2024, the authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden (file submitters) and ECHA’s Risk Assessment Scientific Committee (RAC) and Socio Economic Analysis Scientific Committee (SEAC) fully considered over 5600 scientific and technical opinions received from third parties during the consultation period in 2023, and released the latest progress on the process of restricting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe.
These over 5600 consultation opinions require the file submitter to further consider, update, and improve the currently proposed ban information in PFAS. It also helped identify uses that were not specifically mentioned in the initial proposal, which are being included in existing departmental evaluations or classified as new departments as needed:
Sealing applications (fluorinated polymers are widely used in consumer, professional, and industrial fields, including seals, pipeline liners, gaskets, valve components, etc.);
Technical textiles (PFAS used in high-performance films, medical equipment not covered by medical applications, outdoor technical textiles such as waterproof fabrics, etc.);
Printing applications (permanent parts and consumables for printing);
Other medical applications, such as packaging and excipients for drugs.
In addition to a comprehensive ban or a time limited ban, ECHA is also considering other restriction options. For example, another option may involve conditions that allow PFAS to continue production, market or use, rather than a ban (restriction options other than a ban). This consideration is particularly important for evidence indicating that bans may lead to disproportionate socio-economic impacts. The purposes of these alternative options being considered include but are not limited to:
Battery;
Fuel cell;
Electrolytic cell.
In addition, fluoropolymers are an example of a group of perfluorinated substances that are highly concerned by stakeholders. The consultation further deepened the understanding of the availability of alternatives for certain uses of these polymers, technical and organizational measures to minimize their emissions in the environment, and the potential socio-economic impacts of banning their production, market release, and use also need to be reconsidered.
ECHA will evaluate the balance of each alternative and compare it with the initial two restriction options, namely a comprehensive ban or a time limited exemption ban. All of these updated information will be provided to the RAC and SEAC committees for ongoing proposal evaluation. The development of opinions will be further promoted in 2025 and will generate draft opinions from RAC and SEAC. Subsequently, negotiations will be held on the draft opinions of the advisory committee. This will provide an opportunity for all interested third parties to provide relevant socio-economic information for SEAC’s final opinion consideration.
Post time: Nov-28-2024
