ECHA Publishes Updated PFAS Restriction Proposal
On 20 August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced an update to the restriction proposal for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s REACH Regulation. The updated proposal was prepared by the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, who originally submitted the restriction dossier in January 2023.
This revision follows the evaluation of more than 5,600 scientific and technical comments received during the 2023 public consultation. The outcome is an updated Background Document, which will serve as the foundation for the opinions of ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC).
Key Updates in the PFAS Restriction Proposal
1. Additional Sectors Assessed
The updated dossier includes assessments for eight new sectors not explicitly covered in the original submission:
Printing applications
Sealing applications
Machinery applications
Medical uses (e.g., immediate packaging, excipients for pharmaceuticals)
Military applications
Explosives
Technical textiles
Broader industrial uses (such as solvents and catalysts)
2. Alternative Restriction Options Considered
Beyond a full ban or temporary derogations, the authorities have also evaluated conditional restriction options, allowing the continued use of PFAS in specific cases where risks can be effectively controlled. These sectors include:
PFAS manufacturing
Transport
Electronics and semiconductors
Energy
Sealing applications
Machinery applications
Technical textiles
The Role of ECHA’s Committees
ECHA’s RAC and SEAC are currently reviewing the updated proposal. Their opinions will ensure that the European Commission receives an independent, evidence-based, and transparent evaluation of the risks and socio-economic impacts of the proposed restriction.
The final decision on the PFAS restriction will be taken by the European Commission in consultation with EU Member States.
Background of the PFAS Restriction Initiative
Initial submission: January 2023 by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden
Objective: To reduce PFAS emissions, protect human health, and ensure safer products and processes
Public consultation: Ran from 22 March to 25 September 2023
Current status: Proposal under scientific review by RAC and SEAC
The updated PFAS restriction proposal reflects Europe’s commitment to tackling persistent chemicals that pose long-term risks to human health and the environment. By expanding the scope to additional sectors and considering conditional restriction models, the dossier provides a more comprehensive framework for addressing PFAS risks.
The coming months will be crucial, as ECHA’s committees finalize their opinions and the European Commission moves closer to a historic regulatory decision on PFAS in the EU/EEA.