Seals makers note 'important distinction' by PFAS committee

Neu-Ulm, Germany - The European Sealing Association (ESA) has noted some potentially significant outcomes from the latest meetings of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) scientific bodies regarding proposed restrictions on PFAS.

In September, the ECHA committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) discussed issues concerning the sectors: Petroleum and mining; Textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, and carpets; and Food-contact material and packaging

During its meeting, RAC agreed to revise how PFAS emissions are calculated across different sectors with a focus on the waste stage, for example emissions from disposal and incineration, ESA reported.

The revised approach "emphasises the need to distinguish between PFAS particle emissions and those that leach from materials," added the 8 Nov update from the seals manufacturers' group.

"This distinction is important because the concerns related to fluoropolymer particles differ from those associated with non-polymeric PFAS," commented Sandy Van den Broeck, ESG director at the industry association.

The ESA is continuing to track developments at the RAC and SEAC committees, which are scheduled to discuss further sectors, including construction products, transport, and energy over the coming months.