EU's PFAS Regulation Stalls as Key Figure Steps Down
The EU's process to regulate the entire PFAS class is moving at a slow pace. Juliane Glüge, previously representing the European Chemical Society, has stepped down due to a conflict of interest with her new role at the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. She remains optimistic about the PFAS regulation discussions so far.
The EU Commission is expected to make a decision on PFAS restriction by the end of 2026. Following this, an 18-month transition period will commence, with bans not taking effect before 2028. France has already announced a ban on PFASs in cosmetics, ski wax, clothing, and footwear from 2026.
In response to potential socio-economic impacts, the ECHA committees are exploring a third restriction option. Instead of complete bans, this option focuses on preventing emissions in certain sectors. Fluoropolymer production in Europe, which generates several hundred tons of emissions annually, including PFASs, is under scrutiny. However, there's no specific public information on which EU countries are involved in preparing regulations for fluoropolymers like PTFE to circumvent PFAS restrictions.
The EU's PFAS regulation process is ongoing, with a decision expected by the end of 2026. France has already planned a ban on PFASs in certain products from 2026. The ECHA is considering alternative restriction options to balance socio-economic impacts. The future of fluoropolymer production in Europe, given its PFAS emissions, remains uncertain.
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