Helsinki, 22 June 2023 – ECHA's Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) considers that the proposed restriction on the placing on the market, use and formulation of PFAS in firefighting foams is the most appropriate EU-wide measure to address the identified risks. This takes into account available alternatives and the balance between the restriction’s benefits and costs to society. These conclusions follow an opinion on the risks adopted by ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) in March 2023.
SEAC suggests, however, that a review of available fluorine-free alternatives for sites that produce, treat or store dangerous substances (covered by the Seveso Directive) and those neighbouring them is carried out before the end of the 10-year transition period. Similarly, a review would be needed for uses at offshore installations in the oil and gas industry, where SEAC is recommending to lengthen the transition period from five to 10 years. The committee considers the reviews important to maintain safety where fires may have high impacts on the environment and human health.
"There are some uses where the committee considered that if there are no alternatives that perform well enough by the end of the transition periods, the consequences of reduced fire safety could be disastrous.It's likely that there will be alternatives, but it's important that we reduce the chance that they are not there to a minimum," says María Ottati, Chair of the SEAC in a new episode of the Safer Chemicals podcast.
SEAC also recommends to lengthen transition periods for uses in civilian shipping from three to five years and for placing certain types of portable fire extinguishers on the market from six to 18 months. This is to ensure that technically suitable fluorine-free alternatives are available when the transition periods end.
ECHA prepared the proposal at the request of the European Commission. It was introduced for the first time in February 2022.
What's next?
Following the adoption of SEAC's opinion, ECHA prepares the combined opinion of both committees for publication and sends it and and the restriction proposal to the European Commission.
The Commission will then decide whether a restriction is necessary. If so, it will make a proposal to amend the list of restrictions (Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation). The proposal will be voted on by the EU Member States in the REACH Committee and scrutinised by the European Parliament and Council before adoption into law.
Source: European Chemicals Agency
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