PFAS restriction: ECHA launches consultation on socio-economic impacts

On 26 March 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on the draft opinion issued by the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC).

The draft opinion, adopted on March 10, acknowledges the environmental and human health risks associated with the widespread use of PFAS, as highlighted by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC). In light of this evidence, SEAC considers that a ban accompanied by specific exemptions constitutes the most balanced strategy, ensuring effective risk management while taking into account the proportionality between the benefits to society and the economic costs to industry.

The 60-day consultation, which is open until 25 May 2026, offers industry, non-governmental organisations, developers of alternatives, the scientific community and the public the opportunity to submit comments. Participants must complete a structured questionnaire asking them to answer questions about the potential impacts of restricting the use of PFAS in various sectors and to provide specific information on the availability and feasibility of alternatives to these widely used chemicals.

Dedicated guidelines and a mapping of PFAS uses have been made available by ECHA to assist participants, and these have been designed to facilitate the collection and submission of relevant and consistent data.

It is important to note that SEAC will only consider comments regarding economic and social impacts at this stage. Health and environmental risks, which were previously addressed by RAC and whose final opinion was adopted in March and published a few days ago, will not be subject to further evaluation.

The information gathered during the consultation will be analysed to confirm or revise the conclusions of the SEAC draft opinion, in preparation for the adoption of the final opinion expected by the end of 2026. This procedure will mark the completion of the scientific assessment carried out by ECHA’s technical committees, after which the opinions will be officially submitted to the European Commission in a single document. The Commission will then proceed to draft the final legislative proposal in the form of a regulation. The proposal will then be submitted for review and a vote by the Member States within the REACH Committee.