On July 15, the national authorities of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark formally declared their intention to submit a restriction proposal on per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by July 15, 2022. PFAS are chemicals that are very difficult to break down and therefore remain in the environment for a very long time. According to the declaration of intent, the restriction is to apply to the manufacture, placing on the market and use of all PFAS in all areas of use. Stakeholders affected by the restriction have until September 19, 2021 to check or add data via a questionnaire on the website of the Federal Office for Chemicals (BfC).
Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark had already agreed in 2020 to draw up a joint dossier for a comprehensive REACH restriction proposal. The aim is to restrict the manufacture, placing on the market and use of all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) in the European Union. PFAS, which are difficult to break down, pose a risk of contaminating groundwater, surface water and drinking water. Harmful effects on humans and the environment cannot be ruled out either.
Parallel to their declaration of intent, the member states published brief summaries of the information they have gathered so far and a corresponding questionnaire. This is intended to ensure that the information already available reflects the current market situation as well as possible and that any remaining data gaps are closed. With the help of this information, a tailored restriction proposal is to be submitted next year, which may contain exemptions for some uses of PFAS that will also be important for society in the future. In order to be able to justify such exemptions, the five Member States are dependent on the cooperation of the stakeholders, as only they have the necessary detailed knowledge of their uses.
This is why the new survey is primarily aimed at industry associations and companies affected by the restriction, but also at companies that manufacture alternatives to PFAS or have knowledge of them. The Federal Agency for Chemicals is asking all stakeholders to check the published information and to submit comments on necessary corrections or additions.
The questionnaire is available until September 19, 2021 on the BfC website at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at https://www.reach-clp-biozid-helpdesk.de/Beschraenkungen-DE
or https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/A268AB47DAB9D5DA (direct link to the Webropol questionnaire).
