The consultation period for the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Economic Area ended Sept. 25, 2023. Authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden prepared the proposed restrictions in an 1,800-page document. The Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the proposal in February this year, and the six-month consultation period began March 22.
Now the ECHA announced it received more than 5,600 comments on the proposal, from over 4,400 organizations, companies and individuals. The association said the comments will be checked by ECHA's scientific committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC), and those providing relevant evidence-based information will be considered in the opinion making process. The five countries who prepared the initial proposal will also review the consultation input and may update their initial proposal based on it.