Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission plans to propose a ban on the use of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in consumer products, EU’s environment chief Roswall said.
European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, in an interview with Reuters, said
“What we know we are looking for is a ban on consumer products. This is something that is important for us human beings, of course, but also for the environment, but I think also for the industry so they know how they can phase out PFAS.”
Roswall further said the EU’s proposal is unlikely to be finalised before next year at the earliest as “essential” exemptions are defined.
Semiconductors and Asthma inhalers utilised in green technologies such as electric vehicles are some of the possible “essential” uses, she remarked. However, these, too, will face constraints, including how they are discarded.
What are PFAS?
PFAS or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances belong to a wide family of synthetic chemicals whose covalent bonds between carbon atoms and fluorine atoms provide substantial resistance against environmental degradation. Their persistence in the environment earns PFAS the nickname “forever chemicals,” indicating that these are not broken easily and persist both in the environment as well as in living organisms.
Roswall commitments on PFAS:
European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall has vowed to take big steps to regulate PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Months ago, while testifying in her confirmation hearing, Roswall underscored the need to quickly address hazardous chemicals, such as PFAS, which pose significant threats to public health and the environment. She accepted the growing scientific evidence that ties these substances to serious health concerns and environmental contamination.
Roswall committed that the EU was going to be updating the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) to speed up bans and phase-outs of harmful chemicals, including PFAS, on consumer products.
