Following the analysis of the 5600 reactions received in the first public consultation, ECHA published its updated proposal to restrict PFAS (UPFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH.
EurEau acknowledges the tremendous work of the five submitting countries in assessing the reactions received in the public consultation and in updating the restriction proposal. It is however regrettable that the number of derogations and their duration were increased in a significant number of cases.
The proposed derogations will lead to additional PFAS emissions amounting to tenths of thousands of tons over the next decades. This is not only in contradiction to the statement that these ‘forever chemicals’ are non-threshold substances. It also goes against the European Commission considerations to lower the PFAS thresholds for drinking water with a view to better protecting public health. Additional water treatment requirements will trigger higher water tariffs which will particularly affect low-income households and local businesses. According to the Forever Pollution project, the additional annual costs for treating drinking water could amount to € 18 billion.
Food is the main PFAS intake pathway for humans. Our food security is jeopardised by increasing contamination levels stemming from multiple sources including pesticides (not covered by the REACH restriction) and fluorinated gases. If tolerable intake levels continue to be revised downwards, a part of our food may become non-compliant.
EurEau calls of ECHA and the five submitting countries to take better account of the benefits of a prompt and far-reaching PFAS ban.
To the EurEau recommendations here.