PFAS
Indispensable for industrial processes
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are indispensable for many industrial processes. However, the EU has advocated for a blanket ban on approximately 10,000 PFAS substances because some of them are harmful when released into the environment. This comprehensive regulatory approach jeopardizes entire production processes in machinery and plant engineering – particularly new technologies in the energy transition – and lacks sufficient scientific foundation.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are primarily used in production processes where extreme conditions prevail, such as high temperatures, intense abrasion, or aggressive chemical conditions. Consequently, they are indispensable for crucial technologies in the energy transition, including the manufacturing of fuel cells, heat pumps, solar panels, and hydrogen electrolyzers.
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The EU's regulatory approach to perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) is jeopardizing entire production processes in mechanical and plant engineering - including in ventilation technology. A recent publication provides detailed knowledge for the industry.
In this session of the event series "With new knowledge into the year 2025", VDMA Power Systems will shed light on the topic of PFAS in the energy sector.
Under the name "Forever Lobbying Project", media partners from 16 countries have joined forces to research the topic of PFAS. The rather one-sided findings are currently being published in various countries.
In the dispute over the regulation of PFAS, ECHA is signaling initial openness to alternatives to a comprehensive ban. For the industries in Europe that rely on PFAS, this is a cautious signal in the right direction.
EU substance policy is bringing about far-reaching regulatory changes that will have a lasting impact on mechanical and plant engineering - we have shed light on the challenges and prospects.
PFAS are now also being scrutinized in the USA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined reporting and retention requirements for PFAS in US TSCA. The VDMA supports its member companies with a fact sheet.
Due to environmental and potential health hazards, the EU intends to restrict the broad group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH regulation.
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are currently polarizing opinion. The EU has come out in favor of a blanket ban on around 10,000 chemicals in this group of substances. At first glance, a well-intentioned approach to protecting the environment, but the announcement puts important industries at risk.
With the impending ban on around 10,000 PFAS industrial chemicals in one fell swoop, the EU is overshooting the mark by a long way. Indispensable components such as seals would be affected - and consequently many products for people's everyday lives. The VDMA is calling for exemptions for PFAS substances that are in machinery and do not come into contact with the environment.
On 07.02.2023 ECHA has pre-published the restriction dossier on the broad restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not only the focus of substance restrictions within the EU but are increasingly being restricted on the state-level in the USA.
The PFAS Info Day on 2 September 2021 focused on the current European PFAS restriction project and how the mechanical and plant engineering sector might be affected.
5 EU member states (including Germany) want to largely restrict the production, marketing and use of "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances" (PFAS) in the EU.
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