On March 3, 2026，the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has concluded its assessment of the restriction proposal for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The RAC adopted its opinion based on a comprehensive and independent evaluation of the hazards, volumes, emissions, and risks of PFAS, as well as the potential effectiveness and practicality of the proposed restriction measures, including enforceability.
Background
The PFAS restriction proposal was jointly drafted by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, and submitted to ECHA in January 2023. A first round of public consultation, which garnered over 5,000 submissions from industry stakeholders, was completed between March and September of the same year. In June 2025, ECHA published a revised 14th version of the PFAS restriction proposal, incorporating assessments for eight additional industrial sectors. For specific revision details, please refer to:
https://www.chemradar.com/en/news/detail/ew0wlmxfdurk
The RAC is one of ECHA's two scientific committees responsible for evaluating EU-wide restriction proposals under the REACH Regulation. The RAC assesses the risks posed by the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of chemicals to human health and the environment, while the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) evaluates the socio-economic impacts of proposed restrictions, taking into account the availability of alternatives.
Next Steps
The full text of the RAC's opinion will be officially published shortly. The SEAC is expected to review and adopt its corresponding draft opinion next week, subsequently launching a 60-day public consultation. The final opinions are scheduled to be formally adopted by the end of 2026. This step signifies the completion of ECHA's scientific assessment of the restriction proposal. The opinions will be submitted to the European Commission as formal technical documents. The European Commission will then develop a specific restriction proposal based on the opinions from RAC and SEAC, which will be submitted to the REACH Committee, composed of representatives from EU Member States, for deliberation and vote.
CIRS Group will continue to closely monitor the subsequent decision-making processes of ECHA's committees and the European Commission, tracking legislative developments regarding the PFAS restriction proposal in real-time to assist companies in achieving compliance.
