Grouping of PFAS: Regulation by distinct PFAS classes is scientifically superior to classification by a broad PFAS group
Position Paper
13 Jul 2020
Environment

Several Member States are gathering information that will be used to prepare an analysis of restriction options for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and subsequently, a REACH restriction proposal.

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) welcomes the openness for stakeholders to provide information to facilitate this process and takes this opportunity to emphasize that while a group-approach can save time and minimize the need for extensive vertebrate testing, it can, if applied too broadly, result in unnecessary restrictions: PFAS is a large and chemically diverse group of approximately 4,700 substances. These substances are not the same and should not be regulated as one group unless there is adequate and sufficient scientific evidence that this approach can be justified based on the principles of read across highlighted in REACH guidance (R.6.2). Please also see AmCham EU’s Consultation Response to Green Deal call area 8.

Related items

News
4 Feb 2026

Full speed to net zero

The transport sector accounts for around a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport responsible for the majority. As a company dependent on efficient logistics, Amazon is taking concrete steps to decarbonise its operations and support Europe’s climate ambitions. Across several Member States, the company is expanding its fleet of zero-exhaust emission vehicles, investing in electric trucks and delivering packages by lower-emission rail freight. These initiatives demonstrate how innovation in transport can combine operational efficiency with environmental responsibility. Read the full story on Invested in Europe. 

Environment
Read more
Read more about Full speed to net zero
News
21 Jan 2026

Reduce, reuse, reinsulate

Construction and demolition waste accounts for more than a third of all waste generated in the EU, much of which ends up in landfills. Nearly 30 years ago, Paroc, a subsidiary of Owens Corning, began to help change this trajectory by launching one of the first stone wool recycling programmes in Sweden. Through the REWOOL system, stone wool offcuts from production and construction sites are collected, sorted and recycled into new insulation products. This approach supports circular economy business models, reduces reliance on virgin raw materials and improves building sustainability ratings. Customer demand continues to grow as REWOOL expands into new markets. Read the full story on Invested in Europe. 

Environment
Read more
Read more about Reduce, reuse, reinsulate
News
16 Jan 2026

REACH universal PFAS restriction proposal

Although the European Chemicals Agency’s updated Background Document improves the universal per and polyfluoroalkyl substances restriction, it disregards PFAS’ diverse properties and uses, fails to adequately apply the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation’s risk-based principles, proposes arbitrary general exemption timelines that do not reflect individual sectors’ realities, threatens to cause major disruptions across European supply chains and creates regulatory uncertainty, discouraging investment and innovation within the EU.

Environment
Read more
Read more about REACH universal PFAS restriction proposal