PFAS

Information on PFAS

10.08.2026

Fluoropolymer Exception Required

According to the CDU Economic Council, the planned regulation of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) at the European level must not lead to a blanket ban on fluoropolymers. This demand was the focus of an online expert discussion organized by the Economic Council, at which Dr. Michael Schlipf, spokesperson for the pro-K Fluoropolymer Group and Managing Director of FPS GmbH, discussed opportunities and challenges of European PFAS regulation, among others.

In his presentation, Dr. Schlipf explained the particular importance of fluoropolymers for numerous key technologies – from medical technology and semiconductor manufacturing to the energy, chemical, and food industries. He also presented current developments for the safe design of the entire life cycle, innovative end-of-life processes, and advances in chemical recycling.

“Fluoropolymers differ fundamentally from other PFAS in terms of their properties and risk profile. Science-based regulation must take these differences into account. Only then can health and environmental protection be reconciled with technological innovation and industrial competitiveness,” emphasized Dr. Michael Schlipf.

Differentiation instead of bans

The Economic Council of the CDU also advocated for differentiated regulation. “In the PFAS restriction process, the EU Commission must not regulate with a watering can approach and ban all PFAS across the board,” explained Wolfgang Steiger, Secretary General of the Economic Council. Fluoropolymers are indispensable for numerous applications and at the same time contribute only very little to total PFAS emissions.

In addition to their importance for future technologies, fluoropolymers also offer significant potential for the circular economy. Modern recycling processes already enable the recovery of high-quality raw materials today and can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the materials.

The discussion about future PFAS regulation will continue to accompany European industry. The final report of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) is expected at the end of 2026, with a proposal from the European Commission in early 2027. Entry into force would be possible at the end of 2027/2028.

You can find the report or the press release here:

Wirtschaftsrat fordert von EU differenzierte PFAS-Regulierung

Since ECHA’s official PFAS regulatory process will still take several years, we advocate for a simplification of REACH as well as for clear and reliable framework conditions in PFAS regulation—as announced as a priority by the new EU Commission President.

Our Technical Sales team is at your disposal for any questions:

03.02.2026

With the publication of the final report on the evaluation of 5,642 submissions on August 25, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reached a first major milestone in the PFAS regulatory process.

The comments received during the consultation provided extensive detailed information. These had a significant influence on the committees’ revised assessments, particularly with regard to possible alternatives as well as environmental and economic impacts.

In addition to the two originally planned regulatory options—

Option 1: Ban and

Option 2: Ban with time-limited derogations—

the report intends to examine a third regulatory option:

Option 3: Conditions that must be met to allow the continued manufacture, placing on the market, or use of PFAS instead of a ban.

This third option is intended to apply to certain applications for which no suitable alternatives are currently available and which have been evaluated by the Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC). These include, among others:

• Batteries
• Fuel cells
• Electrolyzers
• Medical devices
• Semiconductors
• Fluoropolymers throughout their entire life cycle—from manufacture and use to end-of-life

With the introduction of this third regulatory option, ECHA is for the first time creating the basis for differentiated considerations of individual applications and entire groups of substances within the framework of PFAS regulation. Fluoropolymers also fall into this category when considering their complete life cycle, as no suitable alternatives are currently available for them. This represents an important success of the joint efforts to counteract a blanket PFAS ban approach and to highlight the special importance of fluoropolymers.

Helsinki, December 17, 2025 – Building on previous assessments and initial preliminary conclusions, RAC and SEAC are currently examining the proposed restriction on several levels in parallel. These include possible concentration limits, PFAS management plans, recycling and spare parts concepts, issues of practicability and monitorability, as well as the assessment of whether the proposed restriction represents the most appropriate EU-wide measure to mitigate PFAS risks.

Based on the submissions, RAC and SEAC are developing concrete draft opinions on applications for authorization. In addition, the RAC has adopted its first harmonized classification and labeling opinion for a new hazard class: very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB). Further details can be found in the appendices.

The 60-day stakeholder consultation on the draft opinions is expected to begin in March 2026, shortly after their adoption by RAC and SEAC.

Further information:

https://echa.europa.eu/de/-/highlights-from-december-2025-rac-and-seac-meetings

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