ECHA Releases Key Outcomes of March 2025 Meeting: Progress on PFAS Restriction Proposal

On March 19, 2025, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced significant advancements in chemical regulation following the first joint meeting of its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) in 2025. The committees reached multiple technical consensuses on key issues, including the proposed restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), marking a new phase in the EU’s chemical regulatory framework.

Key Meeting Highlights

1. Progress on REACH Restriction Proposal: PFAS Multi-Sector Assessment

The PFAS restriction proposal, jointly submitted by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden in January 2023, took center stage. Discussions focused on:

• Fluorinated Gas Applications: Technical evaluations are underway by both committees.
• Transport and Energy Sectors: RAC finalized interim conclusions for specific uses, while SEAC initiated preliminary socio-economic impact assessments.

Upcoming Agenda (June 2025 Meeting):

• Medical Devices and Lubricants: Joint review by RAC and SEAC.
• Transport and Energy: Continued SEAC discussions.
• Electronics and Semiconductors: RAC to launch preliminary evaluations.

Subsequent meetings will prioritize in-depth assessments of electronics/semiconductor applications and remaining sectors.

2. Updates to Harmonized Classification and Labeling

RAC adopted 13 revised opinions on chemical classifications, with two notable updates:

• Silver Nitrate: Added reproductive toxicity (Category 1B, affecting fertility/development) and carcinogenicity (Category 2), with updated warnings across nine hazard categories.
• Synthetic Amorphous Silica: Proposed classification as a substance causing respiratory damage upon prolonged/repeated inhalation (STOT RE Category 1).

3. Advancements in Chemical Authorization Applications

• RAC drafted opinions on 17 authorization applications.
• SEAC reviewed 6 applications and finalized 4 authorization opinions and 3 assessment reports.
• Technical details are accessible via ECHA’s official website.

Next Steps

Joint opinions from RAC and SEAC will soon be published on ECHA’s platform. Stakeholders are encouraged to review technical documents and submit feedback through the official portal.

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Further Information

ECHA