PFAS update: ECHA releases guidance and PFAS use-mapping for SEAC consultation - European Sealing Association

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released guidance documents and an extensive mapping of PFAS uses (available on the link) to support stakeholders participating in the consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion on the proposed PFAS restriction.

The guidance aligns with the information presented during the webinar and outlines the structure and procedures of the consultation surveys. It also details the specific types of questions to be asked, including single- and multiple-choice, numerical, and open-ended questions, with responses of up to 5,000 characters.

Two consultation surveys will be conducted:

• Sector-specific survey: This survey focuses on sector-specific evaluations of PFAS uses across 14 sectors, as well as PFAS manufacturing. The scope of the SEAC evaluation varies by sector, and the information requested ranges from specific uses to sub-uses and individual applications, as defined in the PFAS use mapping. This scope is referred to as the SEAC evaluation level. The survey questions address alternatives, volumes, and impacts on both organisations and society. For relevant sectors, an additional question addresses the cost and feasibility of Restriction Option 3.
• General survey: This survey includes questions related to the main sections of the SEAC draft opinion that apply across all sectors. Responses should clearly reference the relevant sections and conclusions of the opinion and specify the sectors to which the comments relate.

All responses must be submitted directly through the survey platform; attachments are not permitted. Confidential information may be included, provided that an appropriate justification is supplied.

This Guideline document will be particularly useful for sectors undergoing a specific SEAC evaluation in preparing for the upcoming consultation. However, preparation may be more challenging for the eight additional sectors—such as Sealing Applications—that are not included in the sector-specific evaluation. The proposed survey questions are based on the SEAC draft opinion, which is expected to be published shortly before the start of the 60-day consultation period.

ECHA resources:
• Guidance for respondents
• Annex: detailed mapping of PFAS uses 

Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Sandy Van den Broeck,
ESG Director, ESA