The proposal developed by Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark aims to reduce the releases of PFAS into the environment and make products and processes safer for people.
The details of the submitted dossier align with the definition of PFAS proposed by the OECD *. The amount of PFAS included with this concept has increased considerably identifying more than 10.000 substances.
The Annex XV report proposes two approaches for the restriction of PFAS: one full ban with no derogations, and a second option with would include time-limited derogations with a transition period between 5 and 12 years depending on the application.
Once the RAC and SEAC have approved the submitted dossier, the European Commission will open up a consultation that will last 6 months, starting on 22ndMarch 2023.
More information: norberto.fernandez.soriano@eupc.org
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* 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). So with a few noted exceptions, any chemical with at least one perfluorinated methyl group (–CF3) or one perfluorinated methylene group (–CF2–) qualifies.