This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The European Union is under pressure to ban "forever chemicals," but a battle is heating up in Brussels over the toxic substances known as PFAS, with industry groups seeking as many exemptions as possible. "It is by far the biggest file I've handled in the past five years," said lobbyist Simon Terwagne of consultancy Forward Global, which represents clients from the chemical industry.
"Reducing exposure to PFAS is a sensible goal, but it must be done in the most measured and proportionate way possible," he said. Such chemicals are found everywhere in daily life, from cosmetics to kitchen utensils, food packaging to toilet paper. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that take an extremely long time to break down.
Businesses use PFAS because of their nonstick, waterproofing and heat-resistant properties despite the environmental and health risks. The chemicals have been linked to higher cholesterol levels, cancer and adverse effects on fertility and fetal development. The EU has vowed to ban PFAS in everyday consumer products, like clothing and pizza boxes, while allowing exemptions for sectors considered critical—particularly defense and health care.
But before pulling the trigger on the proposal expected in early 2027, the European Commission is waiting for one final report from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), expected by December. The agency in March warned PFAS chemicals "pose growing risks to people and the environment," calling for a broad ban on their use across the bloc with some exceptions when there is no alternative. And industry groups have been pulling out all the stops.
"Where industry was quite clever is to actually start lobbying at the political phase, even before having the ECHA's opinion," Tatiana Santos of Brussels-based NGO European Environmental Bureau said. "So they were already preempting narratives," including spreading false notions that there were no alternatives to PFAS, she said. As early as March, Europe's pharmaceutical industry lobby EFPIA warned companies would move their production abroad unless there were "clear and durable exemptions for medicines" in the draft rules.
"PFAS materials are essential for manufacturing processes," EFPIA said. Such threats of businesses moving away from Europe will be taken seriously as Brussels seeks to boost the bloc's critical industries. Spectaris, the German lobby group for the optics, photonics and medical technology industries, is one of the biggest opponents of a blanket EU ban.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
