EU tightens its stance on PFAS once again
Published on 8th September 2025
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a group of more than 4,700 identified chemical compounds, known for their resistance to water, fats, high temperatures, and contamination. Since the 1950s they have been widely used in e.g. the textile industry, food packaging, cosmetics, paints, non-stick coatings, flame-retardant materials, and medical equipment.
The principal advantage – and simultaneously the main concern – regarding PFAS lies in their extraordinary persistence, resulting from the stable carbon-fluorine bond. Consequently, these substances hardly degrade in the environment and are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” PFAS accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. Scientific studies confirm their harmful impact on human health, pointing to links with endocrine disruption, thyroid and liver dysfunction, and an increased risk of cancer.
ECHA Proposals and the EU Strategy
In response to the growing threat, on 20th August 2025 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published an updated draft restriction on the use of PFAS. The application, submitted under the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), extends the 2023 proposal and covers more than 10,000 substances. It is based on analyses conducted by experts from five European countries and on over 5,600 comments submitted during public consultation.
The baseline option provides for the introduction of restrictions following an 18-month transitional period. It also foresees the possibility of temporary derogations for periods of 5 or 12 years, and indefinite exemptions for certain limited uses of PFAS. The updated draft further extends the scope to eight additional sectors, including machinery, medical devices, printing, technical textiles, and explosives manufacturing. The proposal is currently under review by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC), which are to issue their opinions to the European Commission by the end of 2026.
These measures are consistent with the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which aims at the gradual phase-out of PFAS from the market, permitting their use solely in applications deemed essential for society, such as in the high-tech sector. It is estimated that failure to introduce restrictions would result in an additional release of 4,400 tons of PFAS into the environment over the next 30 years.
Outlook and Challenges
The ECHA proposal has triggered a broad debate, highlighting the tension between the need to protect public health and economic interests. On the one hand, restricting PFAS use is regarded as a key step towards protecting the population from hazardous substances, particularly in times of intensified resource recovery (recycling). It may also serve as a strong driver for innovation, encouraging companies to seek and develop safer alternatives. On the other hand, implementing a phase-down plan for PFAS represents a considerable challenge, as effective and safe substitutes for many specialised applications are still lacking.
Parallel efforts are underway to develop new technologies and materials. Furthermore, as of 2026, consumers will gain access to a Digital Product Passport, enabling them to verify whether a given product contains specific substances, including PFAS. This measure is intended to support more informed purchasing decisions.
