April 3 Policy Watch: EU moves a key step closer to widespread PFAS restrictions

April 3, 2026

Read the full article by C&EN editorial team (C&EN)

"The European Chemicals Agency’s scientific committees released their opinions on how to tackle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on March 26, supporting a restriction on the persistent chemicals under the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation.

Three years in the making, the opinions mark a decisive step in the process toward EU action on PFAS. They considered a Reach restriction covering more than 10,000 substances and their uses in 15 specific sectors. The committees did not consider PFAS use restrictions for eight industrial fields—including printing, medical, and explosives—because of time constraints.

While both committees support a restriction, they have different views on exemptions. The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) wants a full ban on PFAS, saying any continued use could result in emissions up to “hundreds of thousands of tonnes.”