Why is there a public and regulatory discussion about PFAS?
PFAS are highly stable chemicals that persist in the environment for decades, some of which accumulating in water, soil, and organisms. Due to their persistence and potential health risks, regulators have labeled them “forever chemicals.” In response, the European Union (EU) is reevaluating PFAS under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program, and some EU member states have proposed broad restrictions to phase out non-essential uses across Europe.
What role does REACH play?
REACH is the EU’s primary legislation on chemical safety. It covers the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals. The current PFAS restriction proposal under REACH aims to ban or severely limit PFAS in many sectors unless an exemption for an “essential use” applies.
