On September 15, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that its Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) aims to finalize a draft opinion on the proposed restriction of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at its March 2026 meeting. The most recent version of the restriction proposal, the 14th update, was issued in August 2025. Following SEAC’s meeting, a 60-day public consultation will begin.

Background

The PFAS restriction proposal was jointly developed by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, and submitted to ECHA in January 2023. The first public consultation (March–September 2023) generated over 5,000 stakeholder contributions. On August 20, 2025, ECHA released the 14th revision of the proposal, expanding the scope to cover eight additional industry sectors.

Proposed Concentration Limits

The draft proposes enforceable thresholds for PFAS in substances, mixtures, formulations, and products, based on available data:

· 25 ppb: Any single PFAS (measured with targeted analytical methods, excluding polymer-type PFAS in quantification).

· 250 ppb: Combined total of all PFAS (same analytical approach, with the option to degrade precursors beforehand; polymer-type PFAS excluded).

· 50 ppm: Total PFAS content, including polymer-type PFAS.

Where the total fluorine content exceeds 50 mg F/kg, manufacturers, importers, or downstream users must provide evidence to enforcement authorities showing whether the fluorine originates from PFAS or non-PFAS sources.

Consultation Details

· Timeline: SEAC is expected to issue draft opinions in March 2026, with consultation beginning immediately afterward.

· Format: Structured questionnaire survey. Respondents must provide information directly within the survey fields; attachments will not be accepted. Input will focus on the impacts of PFAS restrictions and the availability of alternatives.

· Confidentiality: Confidential submissions will be handled appropriately. Risk assessment aspects remain outside the scope of this consultation and will be reviewed separately by the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC).

· Participants: Open to industry stakeholders, NGOs, researchers, and the public.

· Information Handling: Responses must be entered directly into designated fields to ensure efficient processing.

To help stakeholders prepare, ECHA will hold an online briefing on October 30, 2025, and will publish a detailed agenda and consultation guide on its official website.

Next Steps

SEAC’s final conclusions are expected by the end of 2026, completing ECHA’s scientific evaluation of the PFAS restriction proposal.

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