ECHA details ‘next steps’ in proposed PFAS-restrictions process

Helsinki – The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has issued details about the "next steps" under its proposals to impose wide-ranging restrictions on the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). (ERJ's initial report)

In a 13 March statement, the EU agency said it had "screened a large number of comments" received during the consultation process and that its two committees would evaluate these.

The committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will evaluate the proposed restriction “in batches, focusing on the different sectors that may be affected,” ECHA explained.

In tandem, the five national authorities that prepared the proposal, are updating their initial report to address the consultation comments, the agency's statement continued.

This updated report will be assessed by the RAC and SEAC committees and will serve as the foundation for their opinions.

As part of the process, the first meeting in March has been held with focus on consumer mixtures, cosmetics and ski-wax.

In its meeting, the RAC discussed the hazards of PFAS, including estimating volumes potentially released.

Meanwhile, SEAC studied “the general approach” for evaluating the different socio-economic elements of the proposal.

In June, the ECHA committees with discuss metal-plating and manufacture of metal products, while the RAC will continue with an additional discussion on hazards.

In September, both committees will discuss textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets, food-contact materials and packaging; and petroleum and mining.

More information about the committees’ plans to evaluate the remaining sectors and about the next procedural steps will be announced as work advances, ECHA stated.