The universal PFAS restriction proposal was submitted in January 2023 by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It covers more than 10,000 substances under 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. RAC judged a full ban the most effective option and supported only one risk-based derogation, for personal protective equipment.
ECHA published the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis on March 26, 2026. SEAC favored a broad restriction with time-limited, use-specific derogations rather than a full ban, and flagged eight unassessed sectors including printing, machinery, military uses and technical textiles.
The 60-day consultation on SEAC's draft closed on May 25, 2026. SEAC's final opinion is expected before the end of 2026, after which the European Commission intends to present a proposal. Final adoption is expected in late 2027 or 2028.
RAC recommended thresholds of 25 ppb for any individual PFAS measured by targeted analysis, 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS, and 50 ppm for total PFAS including polymers. The default transition period is 18 months after entry into force.
