ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations

ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations

ECHA/NR/26/17

ECHA's two scientific committees support EU-wide action with appropriate derogations and controls to address the growing and long-lasting risks per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose to people and the environment.

Helsinki, 26 March 2026 - The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), in its final opinion, and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC), in its draft opinion, support an EU-wide restriction, subject to specific derogations, on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFAS. The Committees also recommend that any restriction should be complemented by effective measures to minimise emissions. The scientific conclusions of RAC and the draft opinion of SEAC mark a major step toward EU-level measures on PFAS.

Today's publication also launches the 60-day consultation on SEAC's draft opinion, with stakeholders invited to submit comments until 25 May.

RAC final opinion

RAC concludes that PFAS pose growing risks to people and the environment. They are highly persistent, remaining in the environment for long periods, travelling long distances, contaminating groundwater and soil, while some cause serious health issues, such as cancer and reproductive harm. The Committee considers that regulatory measures currently in place are not sufficient to control their emissions and, therefore, further EU-wide regulatory action is needed to control these risks.

RAC recommends risk management measures to minimise emissions if derogations for specific uses are confirmed by the decision makers. These measures include site-specific PFAS management plans for manufacturers and industrial users, including monitoring of emissions, supply-chain communication on PFAS use, clear consumer labelling and instructions for safe use and disposal. RAC also calls for reporting of PFAS emissions from manufacturing and industrial sites to ECHA.

Roberto Scazzola, Chairperson of RAC said:

SEAC's draft opinion

SEAC's draft opinion highlights that PFAS are used in many different applications across Europe. EU-wide action is, therefore, needed to avoid trade distortions and maintain a level playing field in the internal market. The Committee considers that targeted derogations are needed for specific PFAS uses, when this is justified by the available evidence that alternatives are not available as well as by the assessment of costs and benefits, to ensure the restriction remains proportionate.

The SEAC draft opinion also supports introducing risk management measures to minimise PFAS emissions for derogated uses, as recommended by RAC. However, based on currently available information, the Committee cannot conclude whether these specific measures are proportionate.

María Ottati, Chairperson of SEAC said:

RAC adopted its final opinion on 2 March, while SEAC agreed its draft opinion on 10 March 2026.

Have your say on SEAC's draft opinion

The 60-day consultation on SEAC's draft opinion is now open until 25 May 2026. Stakeholders - including industry, non-governmental organisations, researchers and members of the public - are invited to provide evidence-based comments through the structured consultation survey.

ECHA has published consultation guidelines and a mapping of PFAS uses to help contributors prepare and submit relevant information. The Agency encourages participants to carefully review the draft opinion and follow the guidelines to ensure their input is as useful as possible to help shape SEAC's final opinion.

Next steps

SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion, considering new information received in the consultation where relevant, by the end of 2026. This adoption will conclude ECHA's Committees' scientific evaluation of the proposed restriction and the opinions will be formally submitted to the European Commission. Based on the two final opinions, the Commission will propose a restriction for discussion and vote in the REACH Committee, composed of EU Member States.

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Read more about the restriction process, the roles of ECHA's Committees and their opinions in the Q&A document. The opinions are published in Consultation table. Listen also to our Safer Chemicals Podcast with the RAC Chair Roberto Scazzola and the Chair of SEAC, María Ottati.

Background

The proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU/EEA was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It was submitted to ECHA on 13 January 2023. It aims to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people. The consultation on the proposed restriction ran from 22 March to 25 September 2023.

Press contact: Hanna-Kaisa Torkkeli, [email protected], +358 50 416 8585