On its website, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published updates on current restrictions on the production, sale and use of more than 10,000 per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) proposed by Danish, German, Swedish, Dutch and Norwegian authorities last month.
Taken together, the agencies estimate that an additional 4.4 million metric tons of PFASs, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” could accumulate in the environment over the next 30 years if no decision is made to the contrary. The ECHA’s Scientific Committees on Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will now meet in March to discuss the proposal in terms of its legality under the requirements of the European Union’s (EU) 2006 REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation – a lengthy, 849-page law that took seven years to draft.
If an agreement is found to proceed with scientific assessment and opinion-forming, a six-month consultation period is scheduled to begin on March 22.
The RAC will then evaluate the proposal’s adequacy in terms of impact on human health and the environment, while SEAC will form its own opinion in terms of potential benefits, as well as associated costs to EU society. The formal opinions will then be forwarded to the European Commission, which will ultimately decide, together with the member states, whether to impose restrictions. An online information session will be held on April 5 for those interested in participating in the process.
To submit requests to participate, access Q&As and receive updates, economic operators can register to the e-tendering platform here.
