Sweden’s Chemicals Agency reports strong stakeholder engagement in the ongoing EU proposal to restrict PFAS, a large group of persistent and potentially harmful chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products. The 60-day consultation on the Scientific Committees for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) draft opinion has closed, attracting 3,511 responses from industry, public authorities, NGOs, researchers, and citizens, with companies representing the largest share. Key feedback highlights concerns over economic impacts, availability of safer alternatives, transition timelines, and potential effects on European industrial competitiveness. SEAC is currently reviewing all submissions and is expected to finalise its opinion by the end of 2026. Following this, the European Commission will prepare a legislative proposal for Member State negotiations and voting within the EU regulatory process. The initiative, supported by Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany, seeks to significantly reduce PFAS emissions by restricting most uses while allowing only essential applications where no alternatives exist. PFAS are widely used, extremely persistent chemicals linked to environmental contamination and long-term health risks, making regulatory action increasingly urgent across Europe. It underscores urgent coordinated EU action.
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