What is PFAS and why should you care?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of about 10.000 synthetic chemicals that are used throughout society. They are also known as “forever chemicals” as their carbon-fluorine bonds are one of the strongest chemical bonds in organic chemistry and resist degradation.

As they are increasingly detected as environmental pollutants and some are linked to negative effects on human health, efforts are increasing to reduce the use of PFAS. The committees focusing on formulating the restriction of PFAS in the EU met in June and decided on the first industries that will be impacted, namely:

• Consumer mixtures, cosmetics and ski wax
• Metal plating and manufacture of metal products

Other areas that will be looked at later this year include:

• Textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets (TULAC)
• Food contact materials and packaging
• Petroleum and mining.

While the EU is still formulating its regulation, some states in the US have already banned PFAS which puts companies across the globe under pressure to get clarity on their use of PFAS.

Now is the time to gain an overview of your own portfolio and the use of PFAS in your own company and to examine the possibility of substitutions or process changes in good time.

We are working with the manufacturers of our line card to get declarations of the use of PFAS in their components and modules to help you get this insight. Just reach out.