PFAS Restrictions: June RAC and SEAC Meeting Highlights

Provisional Conclusions on PFAS Restrictions

The Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) have provisionally identified four sectors that could be significantly affected by the European Union's proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The committees have also outlined the next sectors to be evaluated.

During their June meetings, RAC and SEAC reached provisional conclusions regarding the impact of PFAS restrictions on several sectors. These sectors include consumer mixtures, cosmetics, ski wax, metal plating, and the manufacture of metal products. The discussions on consumer mixtures, cosmetics, and ski wax took place in the March plenary, while metal plating and metal product manufacturing were addressed in June.

Key Concerns with PFAS

RAC has provisionally concluded on the scope of the proposal and highlighted the hazards associated with PFAS. The primary concern with PFAS is their persistence, meaning these substances can remain in the environment for extended periods. Additionally, certain PFAS may pose further risks to both the environment and human health. RAC expressed concerns that the exclusion of certain PFAS from the restriction scope based on their potential environmental degradation is not adequately justified.

The conclusions drawn by RAC and SEAC remain provisional until the committees complete their evaluation of the entire restriction proposal, encompassing all sectors of use. Once finalized, the committees' opinions will be communicated to the public.

Future Evaluations

The committees have announced the sectors they will evaluate in their upcoming meetings. In September, the focus will be on textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets (TULAC), food contact materials and packaging, and petroleum and mining. Following the September evaluations, the next sectors for discussion will include applications of fluorinated gases, transport, and construction products.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is dedicated to advancing the opinion-making process in line with updates made to the proposal by five national authorities. The final opinions will be delivered to the European Commission as promptly as possible.

Additional Outcomes from June Meetings

During the June meetings, RAC adopted seven opinions on harmonized classification and labelling. Additionally, RAC agreed on seven and SEAC on eleven draft opinions on applications for authorization. Both committees adopted three opinions on applications for authorization. Furthermore, RAC adopted two opinions on occupational exposure limits (OELs).

Highlights

• RAC and SEAC provisionally concluded on the impact of PFAS restrictions on consumer mixtures, cosmetics, ski wax, metal plating, and metal product manufacturing.
• RAC highlighted the persistence and potential additional hazards of PFAS to the environment and human health.
• Upcoming evaluations will focus on textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets, food contact materials and packaging, and petroleum and mining.
• Subsequent sectors to be evaluated include fluorinated gases, transport, and construction products.
• RAC adopted opinions on harmonized classification and labelling, applications for authorization, and occupational exposure limits during the June meetings.

Data Source: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/67348133/news_annex_rac_seac_june_2024_en.pdf/df1ded2a-58a9-8d76-f57c-80f344886efd?t=1718261484827