EU PFAS restriction
What is the PFAS REACH Restriction?
On 13 January 2023, the Competent Authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden submitted a REACH restriction proposal targeting all PFAS, including fluoropolymers. The proposal does not differentiate between fluoropolymers and other PFAS, despite their distinct properties. If adopted as drafted, it would lead to a near-total ban on fluoropolymers across industries.
What Comes Next?
The restriction process is ongoing, with public consultation responses under review. The European Commission has committed to open dialogue, and FPG remains engaged to ensure a proportionate regulatory outcome that safeguards innovation, sustainability, and industry needs.
Restriction Dossier Published
ECHA published the REACH restriction proposal targeting over 10,000 PFAS, submitted by authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Initial Scientific Review by RAC and SEAC Begins
ECHA’s scientific committees — RAC (Risk Assessment) and SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis) — began evaluating the proposal to verify its completeness and scientific grounding.
Public Consultation Phase
A six-month public consultation was held, enabling stakeholders to submit comments, scientific data, and impact analyses.
Additional Sectors Included
ECHA published an updated version of the PFAS restriction proposal (“Background Document) to reflect the comments received during the 2023 public consultation. It expanded assessments to include eight additional industrial sectors beyond those originally covered.
RAC Opinion adopted, SEAC publishes draft opinion
ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopts its final opinion (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) publishes its draft opinion and launches a two-month-long public consultation. ECHA’s final consolidated opinion is expected by late 2026.
End of SEAC Consultation
SEAC’s public consultation on its draft opinion closes on 25 May 2026. It will then begin working on finalizing its final opinion. Together with RAC’s final opinion they will then we forwarded to the European Commission to inform its work on the proposal.
Regulatory Decision
The Commission will publish a draft restriction proposal, which will then be debated and voted on by the REACH Committee. The restriction will be adopted by the Commission and transferred to the European Parliament and Council of the EU for scrutiny.
Entry into force
Restriction enters into force.
What Is FPG’s Position?
FPG advocates for a risk-based, differentiated approach that recognises the unique safety and sustainability profile of fluoropolymers. We support balanced, science-based regulatory conditions that ensure continued European innovation while protecting public health and the environment.
We actively participate in ECHA’s consultation process, submitting:
- Alternative analysis and waste management studies
- Scientific assessments and socio-economic analyses
- Risk management and safe handling guidelines
As part of our second submission to ECHA’s public consultation, we provided a number of supporting documents, including the 2021 Guide for the safe handling of fluoropolymer resins, the FPG Risk Management Option Analysis (RMOA) and Socio Economic Analyses (2017, 2022 and 2023), analysis of alternatives (2023) and studies on fluoropolymer incineration and waste.
FPG’s latest Safe Handling Guide is available here.