How does the PFAS restriction affect manufacturers and users of sealing-related products? Does this restriction mean that PFASs are banned?
As a company committed to innovation and commitment to safety and the environment, last May we held a webinar discussing the latest developments on PFAS / PFOH in view of the PFAS ban in the European Union.
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What are PFASs?
PFASs, perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, are a group of approximately 10,000 synthetic laboratory chemicals that are used in the manufacture of many commercial products (from carpets, to food packaging materials, to car batteries or even to make non-stick frying pans, for example).
There are many types of PFASs, although we could say that these substances are divided into two main categories: polymeric PFASs and non-polymeric PDFASs. This differentiation is not made in the current public debate, so the two categories of PFASs are often mistakenly mixed or even considered the same type of substance, which is not correct.
Difference between polymeric PFASs and non-polymeric PFASs
Small and short-chain PFASs are the so-called non-polymeric PFASs and some representatives of this class of substances have been shown to be hazardous to health.
On the other hand, fluoroplastics (such as PTFE) and rubbers (such as FKM, FFKM, FVMQ) are made up of large, long-chain molecules and belong to the group of polymeric PFASs. Expert bodies such as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) classify them as harmless to both humans and nature when used correctly. This means that fluoropolymers and products containing them do not pose a risk to human health or the environment under proper conditions of use.
At Epidor Seals and Rubber Technology we use fluoroplastics and rubbers to manufacture our products, but in no case do we use short chain non-polymeric toxic PFASs.
The origin of the PFAS ban
About 50 years ago, the industry began to realize that the use of PFAS could be harmful to human health and, since then, alternatives to this substance have been sought.
At present, there is no legislation covering all PFASs, although, as a result of the Stockholm Convention, a regulation was enacted in 2004 that exclusively affects resistant organic substances. This includes PFOS, PFOA and, from 2022, also PFHxS.
On July 15, 2021, five EU member states (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) submit a proposal for an EU-wide ban on the production, marketing, handling, placing on the market and use of all substances defined as PFASs, a ban that is expected to become effective in the first quarter of 2025.
What is the impact of the PFAS restriction?
The proposed restriction of PFASs by the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, has raised significant concerns throughout the industry, as this blanket ban would affect all parts of the value chain, including the manufacture, marketing and use of these products.
For manufacturers of sealing products, the restriction of PFASs implies a thorough review of their production processes and materials used, which could result in additional research and development costs to find safe and effective alternatives to the PFASs currently used.
In view of this uncertainty, and as part of the restriction process, a six-month public consultation period was conducted, which ended on September 25, 2023. This period allowed all interested parties to provide additional information to ECHA on scientific and socio-economic aspects, such as the financial impact on businesses, innovation capacity and employment.
During this consultation period, many companies and industry associations submitted their concerns and relevant data to influence the final decision of ECHA, which is currently still reviewing all the information received during the consultation period in order to formulate a final recommendation.
Consequences of the ban on PFASs
As we pointed out in our webinar “Latest news on PFAS / PFOH” that we organized to solve all the doubts about the PFAS restriction, the proposal has generated great concern among manufacturers and end users due to its wide impact in the value chain and in several markets.
In addition, the consequences of banning all PFASs include the closure of factories and companies and, therefore, the loss of millions of jobs in key sectors of the European economy. And in the scope of the European Economic Activity, we cannot forget that fluoropolymers contribute to achieving climate change objectives and that, without them, we cannot continue to work towards the European Green Pact, the Critical Raw Materials Act and the EU Digital Strategy.
What can be done to stop the ban on PFASs?
The proposed PFAS restriction by ECHA represents a significant change for the sealing industry. As the final details of the regulation are reviewed, it is critical that both manufacturers and users remain informed and prepared to adapt to these changes.
For our part, we are committed to supporting our customers during this transition, providing the necessary solutions and advice to ensure the continuity and security of their operations.
Do you have questions or need specific advice? Don't hesitate to ask information on PFASs you can contact our technical department and together we will work to ensure that your sealing systems continue to operate efficiently and safely.