In September, the EU Commission adopted new regulations to protect against dangerous chemicals. PFAS chemicals, also known as perishable chemicals, are both harmful to the environment and to health, but practically cannot be broken down in the environment. The new regulation therefore primarily targets so-called undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and related substances. These are used in the production of textiles, cosmetics and packaging. “We are removing harmful substances from products that citizens use every day,” says Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission. The new regulation will come into force next month; after a transition period of between 18 months and five years, the new decision will take final effect.
Only semiconductors, batteries and fuel cells for green hydrogen are exempt from the measure.
