The five national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have investigated different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), their uses, and the risks they may pose to people and the environment over the last three years.

Risks in the manufacture, placement on the market, and use of PFASs that were not adequately controlled lead the authorities to raise a restriction proposal to ECHA throughout the EU and the European Economic Area.

Course of action

• Submission of a restriction proposal to ECHA – 13 January 2023

The 5 national authorities have submitted a proposal to ECHA to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under REACH, the European Union’s (EU) chemicals regulation.

• The proposal made available on ECHA's website – 7 February 2023

ECHA will run the required administrative checks before the proposed restriction and supporting documents are made available.

• Start of a six-month open consultation - 22 March 2023

ECHA’s scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will check that the proposed restriction meets the legal requirements of REACH.

• Online information session - 5 April 2023

An online information session will be organized to explain the restriction process and help those interested in participating in the consultation.

• ECHA committees’ evaluation

The committees will begin their scientific evaluation of the proposal.

• ECHA committees adopt their opinions

The opinions of RAC and SEAC are normally ready within 12 months of the start of the scientific evaluation, following REACH and finalizing their opinions.

• Opinions of ECHA’s committees sent to the European Commission

Once the opinions are adopted, they are sent to the European Commission, which together with the EU Member States will then decide on a potential restriction.