First OEMs demand info on PFAS in supplier products

REACH

The issue of PFAS is getting closer – now the first OEMs are already asking their suppliers about ther presence of PFAS in their products. The reason are various legislations that are in the works and for which manufacturing companies should prepare. These include:

  • the proposal for PFAS restrictions under EU REACH 1907/2006,
  • the regulation of PFAS by the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency),
  • the restriction of PFAS by the US State Departments of the Environment with increased reporting requirements (Maine, Minnesota, California, NY and others),
  • the Stockholm Convention (POP Regulation).

In the EU, a public consultation process is ongoing until mid-September to gather information on PFAS use. A regulation could come into force in mid to late 2025.

In the U.S., a public comment period on a proposed regulation to regulate six PFAS is ongoing until May 30. The regulation is expected to be adopted by the end of 2023.

Brief background:

PFAS, or “perpetual chemicals,” are a term used to describe approximately 10,000 perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. These are found in numerous everyday products, such as outdoor clothing, pans, car seats, paper coatings, cosmetic products, and agents used to treat the surfaces of metals and plastics. The problem is that they break down extremely slowly in the environment, enter the human body and can cause damage such as liver damage, kidney cancer and elevated cholesterol. So far, only the production and marketing of individual substances such as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid, C8) and, since February 25, 2023, perfluorinated carboxylic acids with nine to fourteen carbon atoms (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA, PFTeDA) have been restricted throughout the EU.

On January 13, 2023, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden submitted a proposal to ECHA to completely ban these PFAS in the EU. Their goal: to reduce PFAS emissions to the environment and make products and processes safer for people.

Further information on the proposed EU regulation and how to proceed can be found here.

More helpful links:

Stockholm Convention

EPA: Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

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