{"id":20114,"date":"2025-06-25T15:02:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/news\/ewigkeitschemikalien-pfas-gekommen-um-zu-bleiben\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T13:46:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:46:26","slug":"ewigkeitschemikalien-pfas-gekommen-um-zu-bleiben","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.haslinger-nagele.com\/en\/ewigkeitschemikalien-pfas-gekommen-um-zu-bleiben\/","title":{"rendered":"Forever chemicals (PFAS): here to stay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The substances commonly referred to in the media as “forever chemicals<\/strong>” \u2013 <\/em>per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) \u2013 <\/em>are a group of synthetic chemicals that are contained in numerous everyday and industrial products due to their water-, grease- and stain-resistant properties. The downside: They hardly degrade, accumulate in the environment and human body, and are considered potentially harmful to health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European lawmakers are now focusing on PFAS in their regulatory efforts, planning to shift from the current approach of banning individual substances to a general ban on all chemicals<\/strong>. This article aims to provide an overview of the current legal framework in the EU and Austria and highlights recent developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Existing EU regulations: what currently applies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907\/2006<\/strong>
Several PFAS, such as PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS, are classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC). Their use is heavily restricted by Annex XVII of the regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

POP Regulation (EU) 2019\/1021<\/strong>
This regulation on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) implements the Stockholm Convention and largely bans PFOS and PFOA, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020\/2184<\/strong>
As of January 2026, binding PFAS limits in drinking water will apply across the EU for the first time: 0.1 \u00b5g\/l for individual substances, 0.5 \u00b5g\/l for the total of all PFAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food law (Regulation (EU) 2023\/915)<\/strong>
Since the beginning of 2023, product-specific limits have applied for selected PFAS in fish, eggs and meat, e.g. 2 \u00b5g\/kg for PFOS in fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food contact materials (Regulation (EC) No. 1935\/2004)<\/strong>
This regulation covers materials such as packaging and cookware that come into direct contact with food. PFAS-containing substances are increasingly the focus of regulatory authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planned EU measures: a general PFAS ban?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The existing regulation thus restricts the use of certain chemicals<\/strong> that are considered to be particularly harmful. Restrictions on selected PFAS are constantly being worked on. As a rule, PFAS are therefore permitted, with bans applying only in exceptional cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach is now to be reversed to a general PFAS ban with PFAS use permitted<\/strong> by way of exception<\/strong>. In 2023, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have submitted a joint proposal to amend the REACH Regulation, which envisages an almost complete ban on PFAS in consumer products. Only essential industrial applications would be permitted under specific conditions. A final decision by the EU Commission is expected this year or next. The initiative is considered one of the most far-reaching chemical regulations in the history of the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, a specific restriction on perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)<\/strong> was already adopted in September 2024. Its use in textiles, cosmetics, and packaging will be prohibited in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austria: between implementation and catching up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In September 2024, the Federal Ministry for Climate Action published an action plan to reduce PFAS contamination. It includes, among other things, the following measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n