What are PFAS and why do they matter?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of artificial substances used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist water, dirt, oil, heat, stains and grease. They are widely used in textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, electronics and other applications. PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals” because they are highly persistent in the environment and pose serious risks to human health.
Concerns about the impact of these toxic substances have led to a demand for action from the public, governments and technical committees responsible for safety and environmental standards. In response, new chemical regulations have been introduced around the world to restrict and control the use of certain PFAS in specific applications.
For example, in the EU, PFAS, including Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorocarboxylic Acid (PFCA) and their related substances, are already regulated under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) legislation and the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list. Other groups, such as Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) and Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA), are also being proposed for restrictions.
In the U.S., due to the lack of federal regulations banning the use of PFAS in consumer products, many state legislatures are acting to help mitigate the use of these chemicals in various consumer products. Several states have already adopted policies that prohibit the intentional addition of PFAS in various consumer products. The state of Maine will prohibit the use of intentionally added PFAS in new products effective Jan. 1, 2030.
