Request a Demo
On March 3, 2026, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) formally adopted its opinion on the proposal to restrict all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within the European Union.
This adoption concludes the first phase of ECHA's two-part scientific evaluation of the "universal" restriction proposal originally submitted by the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The RAC evaluates the risks to human health and the environment resulting from the manufacture, placing on the market and use of chemicals.
Background
The restriction proposal, submitted in January 2023 and updated in August 2025, represents one of the most extensive regulatory actions under REACH. It aims to mitigate the risks posed by PFAS, which are highly persistent in the environment and linked to various adverse health effects. The restriction utilizes a group approach, covering more than 10,000 substances defined by their specific chemical structure (containing carbon-fluorine bonds) to prevent regrettable substitution.
The scope of the restriction is broad, prohibiting the manufacture, placing on the market (including imports), and use of PFAS as substances on their own, in mixtures, and in articles. The only major use excluded from this specific proposal is firefighting foams, which were addressed under a separate restriction adopted by the European Commission in October 2025. (See more)
Next Steps
The regulatory process now moves to the socio-economic evaluation phase. ECHA's Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) is expected to agree on its draft opinion at its meeting on 10-13 March 2026.
Stakeholders should note the following upcoming deadlines:
March 2026 (End of Month): A 60-day public consultation is tentatively scheduled to begin regarding the SEAC draft opinion. This consultation will allow stakeholders to comment on socio-economic impacts, costs, benefits, and the availability of alternatives.
End of 2026: SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion.
Once both the RAC and SEAC opinions are finalized, they will be submitted to the European Commission. The Commission will then draft the final regulation for discussion and a vote by EU Member States in the REACH Committee.
