European Chemicals Agency recommends EU-wide restrictions on PFAS
Further step taken towards EU-wide restriction of PFAS restrictions with exemptions
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PFAS restrictions with exemptions
At the end of March 2026, the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its draft opinion regarding an EU-wide restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances in which carbon and fluorine form a strong chemical bond, and which are highly stable, water-repellent, and heat-resistant. Currently, more than 10,000 types of PFAS are known, which, due to their properties, are used in various industries, including textiles, household appliances, electronics, cosmetics, food packaging, the construction sector, and medicine.
The draft proposes a general ban on the manufacture and use of PFAS in the EU. This general ban is intended to come fully into force only after a transition period of 18 months. However, for certain industry sectors and specific use cases of PFAS, exemptions with longer transition periods are recommended. In these cases, the transition periods range from 5 to 12 years, in addition to the initial 18 months. These exemptions shall include, for example, paper and cardboard products containing recycled materials; personal protective equipment for armed forces, law enforcement, and emergency responders; hard chrome plating; semiconductors; coatings and films for electronic components; and medical devices.
However, these exceptions are intended to apply only if it can be demonstrated that no alternatives to PFAS are available and that a cost-benefit analysis justifies their continued use.
Moreover, the draft opinion recommends that any restriction should be complemented by effective measures to minimize emissions.
Next steps at the EU level
The 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion will run until 25 May 2026. Stakeholders, including industry representatives, NGOs, researchers, and members of the public, may submit evidence-based comments to ECHA during this period.
By the end of 2026, SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion, considering new information from the consultation. The final opinion will then be submitted to the European Commission. On this basis, it is expected that the European Commission will initiate the legislative process, paving the way for restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of PFAS.
Iliyana Sirakova
