On 20 August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published an updated draft proposal to restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s REACH Regulation. The update follows the evaluation of over 5,600 comments submitted during the six-month consultation in 2023 and reflects additional sector assessments and new regulatory options.
The restriction proposal was originally submitted in January 2023 by authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. In the updated draft, they identified eight additional sectors not specifically addressed in the initial proposal, including printing, sealing and machinery applications, technical textiles, explosives, military uses, broader industrial applications, and certain medical uses.
Importantly, the document now outlines three regulatory options:
- RO1: a full ban;
- RO2: a ban with transitional periods for specific uses (currently the preferred option);
- RO3: conditional continued use under strict controls to minimize emissions across the life cycle.
The national authorities assessed alternative options for sectors such as PFAS manufacturing, transport, electronics and semiconductors, energy, sealing, machinery, and technical textiles.
The next stage of the process will focus on socio-economic impacts. The Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) intends to adopt its draft opinion in March 2026, after which a 60-day public consultation will be launched. The consultation will follow a structured survey format and will invite stakeholders to provide input on socio-economic implications and the feasibility of alternatives. Risk assessment aspects will remain under the remit of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC).
To support stakeholders, ECHA will host an online information session on 30 October 2025, with consultation guidelines to be published in advance. The consultation’s exact start date will be confirmed in March 2026.
SEAC’s final opinion is expected by end-2026, completing the scientific evaluation. The European Commission, together with Member States, will then decide on the scope and conditions of the PFAS restriction.