Ban on Forever Chemicals: EU Steps Up Fight Against PFAS

The European Chemicals Agency has pushed for a continent‑wide ban on PFAS, the so‑called forever chemicals that linger in nature. The agency’s risk committee said that stopping production, sale and use of these substances would cut the danger they pose to people and ecosystems. PFAS do not break down, so they build up in water supplies, wildlife and even human bodies. They are found in a wide range of products – from cosmetics to non‑stick cookware, and even in aircraft parts and wind turbines because they can withstand heat and corrosion. New studies link PFAS exposure to liver damage, low birth weight and certain cancers, which has led to costly lawsuits against companies that produce or use them.The committee’s recommendation includes possible exemptions for “essential” uses, such as certain asthma inhalers and semiconductor chips used in electric cars. If these exemptions are kept, the agency also calls for tighter controls on PFAS pollution to protect public health. A second committee that looks at the economic side of a ban also supports broad restrictions, with limited exemptions for products that have no PFAS alternatives. These opinions will shape an upcoming EU proposal that aims to set legally binding limits on PFAS. Brussels plans to finalize the draft by the end of the year, after which lawmakers will decide on the exact restrictions. Industrial sectors that rely heavily on PFAS are plastics manufacturing and electronics production, according to data from Nordic chemical regulators. In the United States, companies such as 3M and Chemours have already faced more than $11 billion in settlements over water contamination caused by PFAS. The EU’s move could set a new standard for how the world deals with these persistent chemicals.