Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark agreed to prepare a Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) restriction proposal with the aim to restrict the manufacture, the placing on the market and the use of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU. The Member States have launched a questionnaire to generate further information for the development of the next step – an Annex XV Restriction Dossier. This information will be used for the evaluation of the most appropriate restriction measures, as well as the scope and conditions of restriction option(s) to be considered within this dossier.

Companies producing or using PFAS, companies selling products produced with these substances, as well as companies using PFAS alternatives, scientists and NGOs are invited to fill in the questionnaire before 31 July 2020.

This step by the five EU countries is a significant step that in some ways mirrors the efforts being undertaken in the United States by both the EPA and numerous individual states.  Any company manufacturing PFAS or selling PFAS-containing products to the EU need to monitor these efforts in the EU closely.

Our attorneys have been at the forefront of PFAS issues, including giving presentations as to the future waves of litigation stemming from PFAS issues. For more information, please contact any of our PFAS – Toxic Torts Team: Jessica Deyoe, Suzanne Englot, Alexandra Fraher,or John Gardella.

Authored By:

John Gardella, Esq.