PFAS consultation opens
28th March 2023
FINLAND: The six-month online consultation on the proposed PFAS restriction is now open for anyone with information on the substances to have their say.
The restriction proposals tabled by the Danish, German, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish authorities, and laid before the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in January, could see the banning of virtually all new and current lower GWP HFC/HFO refrigerant blends.
The consultation is to give anyone with information on PFAS the opportunity to have their say. Of particular interest is information relevant to the risks, socio-economic aspects, and alternative substances. ECHA’s scientific committees for risk assessment (RAC) and for socio-economic analysis (SEAC) will use the consultation input to evaluate the proposed restriction and to form an opinion on it.
Online session
The ECHA will also host an online information session on 5 April from 11:00 to 13:00 Helsinki time. During the session, experts from ECHA and the five national authorities will explain the restriction process, the content of the proposal and how to participate in the consultation. They will also respond to questions from the participants.
The session will be held in English and can be viewed directly from ECHA’s homepage without registration. Questions can be sent to the expert panel in advance of the session through this link.
The consultation will close on 25 September 2023.
Related stories:
PFAS ban affects most refrigerant blends – 12 February 2023
EUROPE: The banning of just five refrigerants under the new PFAS regulation proposals would lead to the banning of virtually all the current lower GWP HFC/HFO alternative refrigerant blends. Read more…
PFAS ban considers impact on heat pumps – 7 February 2023
EUROPE: A number of HFC refrigerants and low GWP HFO alternatives could be banned under new PFAS chemical restrictions proposed to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Read more…
PFAS refrigerant ban could impact EU green aims – 4 January 2023
EUROPE: The chemical industry claims that proposals to ban certain refrigerants as PFAS substances under the European REACH regulations could compromise EU Green Deal and REPowerEU goals. Read more…
HFC/HFO ban would have “major consequences” – 20 September 2021
NETHERLANDS: The Dutch association representing 400 refrigeration and air conditioning companies has hit out at its own country’s proposals which could ban HFCs and HFOs under a new REACH regulation. Read more…
REACH proposals could hit HFC and HFO refrigerants – 21 July 2021
EUROPE: While Europe continues with the HFC refrigerant phase down, new proposals to be put before the Commission could see further restrictions or even bans on HFCs and HFOs. Read more…
REACH proposal is unclear – 23 July 2021
EUROPE: The European chemical trade association, CEFIC, has admitted that it is unclear what HFC and HFO refrigerants are included in the new REACH regulation proposals. Read more…
Refrigerants under threat from new PFAS proposals – 15 July 2020
EUROPE: Proposals to restrict the use of PFAS – a range of chemicals dangerous to health – could further impact the use of HFC and HFO refrigerants in Europe. Read more…
