EU consultation on PFAS restrictions
Open to 25th May. ECHA consultation on the SEAC Opinion on proposed EU restrictions on PFAS chemicals. The proposed restriction is unprecedented in covering over 10 000 different substances (the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). ECHA’s RAC (Risk Assessment Committee) Final Opinion on the proposed restrictions, adopted 3rd March 2026, recommended a complete ban, with only one exception (for some PPE - personal protective equipment). RAC considered this justified because PFAS chemicals are persistent and accumulate in the environment. ECHA’s SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) draft Opinion, subject to the current consultation, proposes a ban with use-specific derogations. The consultation is therefore looking for information on specific uses of PFAS and tonnages used, on alternatives (availability, safety, technical and economic feasibility), time needed to develop alternatives and to switch to their use, impacts of a ban in terms of costs, jobs, services to society, as well as comments on the text of the SEAC draft Opinion. Sector specific information is requested on fourteen sectors identified as using PFAS and for which RAC proposed a complete ban. These include four in which PFAS additives (anti-drip) may at present be used alongside flame retardants to prevent flaming droplets in fire: textiles and similar (TULAC), electronics, energy, construction products. Eight other sectors are also cited but were not analysed by RAC, including sealing, machinery, military, technical textiles and broader uses.
ECHA stakeholder consultation on PFAS restrictions (consultation on draft SEAC Opinion), open to 25th May 2026 https://ec.europa.eu/consultation/runner/echa_pfas_seac_do_consultation
ECHA consultation guide and instructions: “Consultation on the SEAC draft opinion on restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – Guidance for respondents”, March 2026 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17091/upfas-seac-do_consultation_guidance-for-respondents_en.pdf/68d5b13b-d7d6-f14b-2c3e-9b3c07c98113?t=1765956675386
RAC final Opinion “Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) Opinion on an Annex XV dossier proposing restrictions on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)”, ECHA/RAC/RES-O-0000007619-62-01/F, 2 March 2026 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/d6aac737-e665-cbae-58c8-17780de44bd5
SEAC draft Opinion – open for consultation “Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) [Draft] Opinion on an Annex XV dossier proposing restrictions on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)”, ECHA/SEAC/RES-O-0000007620-79-01/D, 10 March 2026 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/9ecfb76d-6e69-c047-3228-16c78e42897f
ECHA PFAS “Annex XV Restriction Report” (proposal) March 2026 https://echa.europa.eu/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e18663449b
