On 22 March 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on the proposal for restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) submitted by the five national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The consultation is open for six months.
Published on the ECHA website on 7 February 2023, the restriction proposal prepared by the authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden aims to reduce emissions of PFAS into the environment and concerns about 10,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
As announced, ECHA has just opened the public consultation and invites all interested parties to send scientific and technical information on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of these substances by 25 September 2023.
The Agency says it particularly expects information on risks, socio-economic aspects and alternative substances.
ECHA’s Scientific Committees on Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will use the consultation input to evaluate the proposed restriction and to form an opinion on it. The European Commission, together with the EU Member States, will ultimately decide on a potential restriction on the basis of the proposal and the opinion of the Committees.
To clarify the subject, ECHA is organising an online information session on 5 April 2023. Experts from the Agency and from the five national authorities that have made the proposal will explain the restriction procedure, the content of the proposal and how to participate in the consultation. They will also answer questions from …