US EditionEU chemicals agency backs ban on PFAS 'forever chemicals'
ECHA's expert committees call for near-ban on PFAS with some exemptions, citing health risks and economic impacts; continued PFAS use could cost Europe €1.7 trillion by 2050, officials said.
- The European Chemicals Agency committees recommended on Thursday a broad restriction on PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' while proposing targeted exemptions for critical industries including medical devices and semiconductors.
- Persistent 'forever chemicals' pose severe health risks including cancer and reproductive harm; an EU-commissioned report projects continued use could cost Europe up to $2 trillion by 2050.
- The Risk Assessment Committee backed a total ban to minimize emissions, while the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee stressed a 'balanced approach' citing lack of alternatives in critical sectors.
- Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall welcomed the findings, announcing the agency launched a public consultation to shape the final legislative proposal before submission to the European Commission by year-end.
- Christine Hermann, policy officer for the European Environmental Bureau , called the opinion 'an important milestone' and urged an 'ambitious proposal' for comprehensive restriction on the chemicals.
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It is the "health scandal of the 21st century": pollution to the PFAS, also known as "eternal pollutants". On Thursday 26 March, a scientific report by the European Chemicals Agency, much expected on the subject, recommends a "wide restriction" of the latter by the European Union, except for "targeted exceptions" when there is no alternative.
The European Chemicals Agency recommends a far-reaching ban on so-called eternity chemicals. These substances are often used for pans, rain jackets and disposable packaging. These are synthetically manufactured per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, for short PFAS.
EU chemicals agency backs ban on PFAS 'forever chemicals'
The European Chemicals Agency on Thursday recommended a broad EU-wide ban on PFAS, or "forever chemicals," with some exemptions as policymakers prepare legally binding limits on substances posing health risks that linger in the environment.
EU Chemicals Agency backs sweeping 'forever chemicals' ban
The European Chemicals Agency's opinion follows pressure from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands to take urgent action to restrict PFAS use due to its environmental and health impact. The European Commission will decide on whether to act upon ECHA's opinion by the end of 2026.
The EU is moving forward to restrict PFAS for health and environmental risk, following preliminary support from the European Chemicals Agency, which confirms the need to limit these highly persistent compounds.These substances, present in everyday and industrial products, accumulate in the environment and in the human organism, generating a long-range problem that could cost up to €440 billion to Europe before 2050 if action is not taken.The EU …
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