The EU's proposed universal PFAS restriction under REACH has advanced through scientific review nearly four years after it was tabled on Jan. 13, 2023, by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It covers more than 10,000 substances using an OECD-aligned definition.
ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment adopted its final opinion on March 2, 2026, concluding that PFAS pose an EU-wide risk justifying restriction and supporting a full ban, with only one risk-based derogation for personal protective equipment.
The Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis published its draft opinion on March 26, 2026, favoring a broad restriction with time-limited, use-specific derogations and flagging eight sectors not yet assessed. Its 60-day consultation closed May 25, 2026.
SEAC is expected to publish its final opinion by the end of 2026. The Commission intends to present a restriction proposal as soon as possible thereafter, with final adoption expected in late 2027 or 2028.
Recommended thresholds include 25 ppb for any individual PFAS measured by targeted analysis (excluding polymeric PFAS), 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS, and 50 ppm for total PFAS including polymers, with a default 18-month transition period. The restriction would land alongside rules already in force, including Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 on PFAS in firefighting foams and limits on intentionally added PFAS in food-contact packaging under the PPWR since Aug. 12, 2026.
