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Presently adopted restriction on the use of PFAS’ sub-groups is a vital step that brings the European consumers, as well as the nature and environment, closer to a toxic-free future. These restrictions will ban the use of this ‘forever chemical’ for the benefit of the EU’s twin transition toward green and digital economy, and well increase the EU’s strategic autonomy and the competitiveness of European industry.
Background
PFAS are called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in the natural environment. Used in many industrial processes and in many consumer products, PFAS require special attention, considering the large number of cases of contamination of soil and water, including drinking water.
In the past 20 years, the EU has taken increasing action to tackle PFAS pollution. As indicated in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Commission is committed to take a comprehensive set of actions to address the use and contamination with PFAS, under REACH*), the EU’s chemicals legislation, and under other environmental and human health specific legislations. When envisaging such actions, the Commission takes due account of the availability of alternatives for PFAS used in applications needed for the EU-wide twin transition (i.e. towards green and digital economy) and in the EU’s strategic autonomy and industrial competitiveness.
*) Note. On REACH in the EU’s basic law: – Regulation 1907/2006 of 18 December 2006 concerning Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC; as well as repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94, Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC.
Present restriction represent another Commission’s step to address the risks posed by PFAS, under REACH. It is distinct from the potential restriction on the entire PFAS group (‘universal PFAS restriction’) which the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA is assessing following a 2023 proposal by five European governments.
More in: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
More on PFAS…
Per- and poly-fluoro-alkyl-substances, PFAS are a large class of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are widely used in Europe and the world; however, they are regarded as increasingly pollutants to nature and human environment, i.e. some are even linked to negative effects on human health. For example, they all contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which are one of the strongest chemical bonds in organic chemistry: that means that they resist degradation in the environment. Most PFAS are also easily transported in the environment covering long distances away from the source of their release.
PFAS have been frequently observed to contaminate groundwater, surface water and soil; besides, cleaning up polluted sites is technically difficult and costly. Thus, if releases continue, they will continue to accumulate in the environment, drinking water and food.
One of the main ways in which PFAS contaminate food is by gradually accumulating in water, fish, shellfish plants and animals. Additionally, PFAS may migrate from food processing equipment and packaging; however, this contribution to human exposure is small compared to the other sources.
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas
New restrictive measures
The Commission has adopted new measures under the REACH Regulation – the EU chemicals legislation – to protect human health and the environment by restricting the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (‘PFHxA’) and related substances. These sub-groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (‘PFAS’) are very persistent and mobile in water, and their use in certain products poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.
More information in the web link on “Reach explained” in:
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/chemicals/reach/reach-explained_en
The adopted PFHxA restrictions are focusing on risks that are not adequately controlled, the alternatives are not available, and socio-economic costs will be limited in comparison to the human health and environmental benefits.
The restriction will ban the sale and use of PFHxA in consumer textiles, such as rain jackets, food packaging (like pizza boxes), consumer mixtures (such as waterproofing sprays), cosmetics like skin care products; and in some firefighting foam applications like for training and testing, without compromising safety. It does not affect other applications of PFHxA, for example in semiconductors, batteries or fuel cells for green hydrogen.
These restrictions are an important step forward in reducing PFAS emissions, since PFHxA is often used as substitution for another already banned PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid, or ‘PFOA’). It is based on the scientific assessment of ECHA’s Committees and has successfully passed the scrutiny of the European Parliament and the Council.
Next steps
The PFHxA restriction will formally enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal. It will take effect after transitional periods of between 18 months and 5 years, depending on the use, allowing time for replacement by safer alternatives.
Citations
= “The restriction on this sub-group of PFAS is one more milestone that brings us closer to a toxic-free environment. The restriction will ban the use of this ‘forever chemical’ in for instance consumer textiles, pizza boxes and some cosmetics. Our EU rules allow us to restrict harmful substances when there are safe alternatives to the benefit of all consumers and for a green transformation of our society”.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for the Digital Age
= “We are removing harmful substances from products that citizens use every day, like textiles, cosmetics and food packaging. This restriction of PFAS is a decisive step in our strategy to boost sustainability, competitiveness and innovation in the chemicals sector. Substituting ‘forever chemicals’ helps to keep our environment healthy, preserve our resources, and drive innovation in cleaner alternatives. The direction is clear, and businesses will have sufficient transition periods to adapt”.
Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal
Source and reference: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_24_4763