EU edges toward PFAS ban

The European Union is considering potential chemical restrictions that could affect certain refrigerants and  fluoropolymers.

Depending on regulatory processes, restrictions could take effect around 2028, following comprehensive assessments currently underway.

The proposed restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), submitted by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in January 2023, targets hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) alongside fluoropolymers used in seals and gaskets.

Environmental and health risks were evaluated by the European Chemicals Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) while the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) assessed economic impact.

Some PFAS persist in groundwater, soil and surface water, with certain varieties linked to cancer, immune system damage and liver dysfunction. However, this diverse chemical family includes more than 4700 compounds with vastly different properties and risk profiles.

The RAC reached provisional conclusions on PFAS use in transport and energy sectors during March meetings. The committee will introduce discussions on electronics and semiconductor sectors in upcoming sessions, where PFAS appear in coolants, coatings and specialised components.

Further meetings will expand the focus to medical devices, lubricants and other PFAS applications ahead of what could become one of the EU’s most significant chemical restrictions.

Industry groups argue that broad-based regulation fails to account for diverse toxicology across this chemical class, noting that readily available substitutes do not exist for critical applications in automotive, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.

Reflecting growing public concern, European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall confirmed that the EC is prioritising restrictions in consumer products including textiles, cosmetics and food packaging.

The French Academy of Sciences described PFAS contamination as “unprecedentedly complex” due to the persistence, mobility and toxicological properties of some compounds, recommending a phase-out of industrial discharge within five years.

French authorities face particular scrutiny after Selectra’s statistical study revealed 13 drinking water networks exceeded upcoming limits.

The Haut-Rhin region, which borders Germany and Switzerland, recorded 0.272µg/L, significantly above the 2026 regulatory threshold of 0.1µg/L for 20 PFAS compounds.

Contamination concerns prompted local authorities to issue warnings against private well water use.

Technologies such as the Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service’s Global PFAS Screening Tool are being used to track more than 17,000 substances.