{"id":16084,"date":"2023-12-15T08:36:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T07:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/?p=16084"},"modified":"2026-02-24T12:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:47:27","slug":"pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS Ban: Will All Fluoropolymers Be Prohibited?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Definition_What_Are_PFAS\" title=\"Definition: What Are PFAS?\">Definition: What Are PFAS?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Classification_of_Per-_and_Polyfluorinated_Alkyl_Substances\" title=\"Classification of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances\">Classification of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Properties_of_These_Industrial_Chemicals\" title=\"Properties of These Industrial Chemicals\">Properties of These Industrial Chemicals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Which_Products_Contain_PFAS\" title=\"Which Products Contain PFAS?\">Which Products Contain PFAS?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Will_a_PFAS_Ban_Be_Introduced_in_the_EU\" title=\"Will a PFAS Ban Be Introduced in the EU?\">Will a PFAS Ban Be Introduced in the EU?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#Significance_of_a_PFAS_Ban_in_the_EU_What_Would_Be_the_Consequences_for_the_European_Industry\" title=\"Significance of a PFAS Ban in the EU: What Would Be the Consequences for the European Industry?\">Significance of a PFAS Ban in the EU: What Would Be the Consequences for the European Industry?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/pfas-ban-will-all-fluoropolymers-be-prohibited\/#A_Blanket_Ban_on_All_PFAS_Compounds_Is_Not_Appropriate\" title=\"A Blanket Ban on All PFAS Compounds Is Not Appropriate\">A Blanket Ban on All PFAS Compounds Is Not Appropriate<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>In the past, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were grouped under various terms such as per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, perfluorinated organic compounds, or highly fluorinated substances. In polyfluorinated alkyl substances, hydrogen atoms are partially replaced by fluorine atoms; in perfluorinated alkyl substances, they are completely replaced. To ensure consistent communication, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) redefined the term per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 2011.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Definition_What_Are_PFAS\"><\/span>Definition: What Are PFAS?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But what exactly are PFAS? What can be understood by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances?<\/p>\n<div class=\"box info  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tPFAS include all fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom without any attached H, Cl, Br, or I atom. With only a few exceptions, any chemical containing at least one perfluorinated methyl group (-CF<sub>3<\/sub>) or a perfluorinated methylene group (-CF<sub>2<\/sub>-) is classified as a PFAS<sup>[1]<\/sup>.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This definition covers approximately 10,000 per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Classification_of_Per-_and_Polyfluorinated_Alkyl_Substances\"><\/span>Classification of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A distinction is made between polymeric and non-polymeric PFAS. Polymeric compounds include fluoropolymers, polymers with fluorinated side chains, and perfluoropolyethers (PFPE). The most commonly used fluoropolymers are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\/ptfe-tubing\">polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)<\/a>, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\/fep-tubing\">fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)<\/a>, and perfluoroalkoxy polymers (PFA). Polymers with fluorinated side chains include fluorinated polyurethanes, polyoxetanes, and polymethyl methacrylates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The group of non-polymeric PFAS comprises four subgroups:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA),<\/li>\n<li>Perfluoroalkane sulfonyl fluorides (PASF),<\/li>\n<li>Perfluoroalkyl iodides (PFAI),<\/li>\n<li>Perfluoroalkyl ether-based derivatives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) are further divided into perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Properties_of_These_Industrial_Chemicals\"><\/span>Properties of These Industrial Chemicals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances are characterized by outstanding resistance to temperature, pressure, and chemicals. They are biocompatible, water-, oil-, and dirt-repellent, and excellent electrical and thermal insulators. In addition, they offer good sterilizability, UV resistance, and low friction properties. They are typically used where other plastics fail. For example, rigid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\">plastic hoses<\/a> made of PTFE, PFA, or FEP are considered the material of choice for conveying highly aggressive chemicals. Depending on the design, they can be used across a very wide temperature range from -260 to +260 \u00b0C.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\/ptfe-tubing\/28770\/ptfe-chemical-tubing-standard\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9357\" title=\"PTFE Chemical Tubing - standard\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-chemieschlauch-standard.jpg\" alt=\"PTFE Chemical Tubing - standard\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-chemieschlauch-standard.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-chemieschlauch-standard-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-chemieschlauch-standard-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tube-hose-connectors\/connectors-made-of-plastic\/screw-joints-for-rigid-tubes-and-pipes\/31326\/straight-pipe-connector-with-male-thread-made-of-pa-or-pvdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9358 size-medium\" title=\"Straight Pipe Connector with Male Thread made of PA or PVDF\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/gerader-rohrverbinder-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Straight Pipe Connector with Male Thread made of PA or PVDF\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/gerader-rohrverbinder-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/gerader-rohrverbinder-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/gerader-rohrverbinder.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">However, under environmental conditions these compounds do not degrade or only degrade over very long periods, which is why they are often referred to as \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d Some of these chemicals are also suspected of being carcinogenic.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PFAS can enter the human body via the food chain and drinking water and may accumulate in blood and organ tissues. Elimination occurs only very slowly.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Products_Contain_PFAS\"><\/span>Which Products Contain PFAS?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Due to their unique properties, these compounds are indispensable in industrial manufacturing, in the energy and mobility transition, and especially in high-tech industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and medical technology.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">These industrial chemicals are used to manufacture <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\">hoses<\/a>, pipes, seals, pumps, containers and tank linings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tube-hose-connectors\">hose connectors<\/a>, taps and valves, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/filtration\/membrane-filter-filter-membrane-round-filters-and-membranes\">filter membranes<\/a>. Especially in ultra-pure environments such as cleanrooms, components made of these materials are essential to enable chemically demanding processes, extend component service life, and prevent contamination.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/pipes\/30298\/pipe-made-of-ptfe-virgin-extruded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9360 size-medium\" title=\"Pipe made of PTFE (virgin) - extruded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/rohr-aus-ptfe-virginal-extrudiert-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe made of PTFE (virgin) - extruded\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/rohr-aus-ptfe-virginal-extrudiert-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/rohr-aus-ptfe-virginal-extrudiert-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/rohr-aus-ptfe-virginal-extrudiert.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/seals-and-gaskets\/o-rings\/ptfe-o-rings\/30643\/high-performance-ptfe-o-rings\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9361 size-medium\" title=\"High-Performance PTFE O-Rings\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-o-ringe-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"High-Performance PTFE O-Rings\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-o-ringe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-o-ringe-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-o-ringe.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many medical devices such as implants, catheters, surgical drapes, sutures, surgical instruments such as endoscopes with wire loops for tissue sample removal, medical equipment such as incubators, dialysis machines, heart-lung machines, or ventilators would not exist without these chemicals or would be less efficient and reliable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the energy sector, solar cells, towers, and rotor blades of wind turbines are coated and painted with fluoroplastics, making them more weather-resistant and increasing their service life. They are also essential components in energy storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Fluoropolymer membranes are used for the efficient production of hydrogen. In heat pumps, they are used as refrigerants and in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/seals-and-gaskets\">seals<\/a>, bearings, and electronic components.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For firefighting of Class B fires\u2014fires involving flammable liquids and melting solids\u2014perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are used in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). These agents form a film over liquid hydrocarbons such as oils, fuels, or solvents, thereby depriving the flame of oxygen.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9353\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9353\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9353 size-full\" title=\"Use of PFOS foam extinguishing agent for firefighting\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfos-schaumloeschmittel.jpg\" alt=\"Use of PFOS foam extinguishing agent for firefighting\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfos-schaumloeschmittel.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfos-schaumloeschmittel-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center>Use of PFOS foam extinguishing agent for firefighting<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the textile industry, they are used to impregnate textiles and carpets and as membranes in outdoor clothing and hiking shoes. In households, frying pans, baking trays, and waffle irons are equipped with fluorinated non-stick coatings. Paper and cardboard used for food packaging are coated with PFAS to repel water and grease.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_a_PFAS_Ban_Be_Introduced_in_the_EU\"><\/span>Will a PFAS Ban Be Introduced in the EU?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"box error  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tIn February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a proposal to ban the manufacture, use, and placing on the market\u2014including import\u2014of PFAS within the European Economic Area<sup>[2]<\/sup>. At least 10,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances would be affected.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proposed ban was developed under the EU chemicals regulation REACH (\u201cRegistration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals\u201d) by regulatory experts from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, with the aim of drastically reducing PFAS emissions into the environment. Depending on the industry sector, transitional periods ranging from 18 months to thirteen and a half years are being discussed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On 22 March 2023, a six-month public consultation was launched during which affected companies could raise concerns and submit justified exemption requests. A decision by the European Commission on this proposal is expected in 2025.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9355\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9355\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9355 size-full\" title=\"Fluoroplastics are also found in households in the form of PTFE pan coatings\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-beschichtete-pfanne.jpg\" alt=\"Fluoroplastics are also found in households in the form of PTFE pan coatings\" width=\"450\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-beschichtete-pfanne.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ptfe-beschichtete-pfanne-300x167.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9355\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center>Fluoroplastics are also found in households in the form of PTFE pan coatings<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As of 1 January 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has further lowered the maximum levels for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in food.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Significance_of_a_PFAS_Ban_in_the_EU_What_Would_Be_the_Consequences_for_the_European_Industry\"><\/span>Significance of a PFAS Ban in the EU: What Would Be the Consequences for the European Industry?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PFAS are to be banned because of their persistence and durability; however, these very properties are the reason for their widespread use. Substitute materials would need to offer similar characteristics and could therefore present comparable challenges.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In industrial manufacturing, seals and components made of PFAS are used due to their temperature and chemical resistance, tightness, and low friction. In the event of a general ban, these products would no longer be available, as they could neither be produced within Europe nor imported from outside the EU. For some facilities, this could result in production shutdowns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PFAS are indispensable for many process steps in the production of electronic components such as microprocessors and memory chips. A ban would therefore affect numerous industries. The implementation of the energy transition, electromobility, and the establishment of a European semiconductor industry would be called into question.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/application-fields-for-tubings\/medicine-tubing\">medical technology<\/a>, PFAS cannot be replaced within a short period. Alternative materials would need to be developed, tested for biocompatibility and biostability, subjected to clinical trials, and approved in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The market introduction of new medical devices could take longer than the transitional period. Implant materials intended to remain in the body for more than 20 years cannot be sufficiently tested within such timeframes. Medical devices produced outside Europe could no longer be imported. European-developed substitutes would also need to meet FDA approval requirements to remain competitive on the U.S. market, resulting in additional costs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In some sectors, a PFAS ban may be reasonable. In outdoor clothing, water-repellent materials based on paraffin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\/silicone-tubing\">silicone<\/a>, dendrimers, polymer coatings, or polyurethane-based membranes are already being used. Iron or enamel pans offer viable alternatives to PTFE-coated cookware and are more scratch-resistant. Reusable tableware can replace coated disposable paper cups. In impregnating agents, fats and waxes can serve as substitutes.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Blanket_Ban_on_All_PFAS_Compounds_Is_Not_Appropriate\"><\/span>A Blanket Ban on All PFAS Compounds Is Not Appropriate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The proposed ban does not differentiate between the many different poly- and perfluorinated compounds. According to OECD criteria, fluoropolymers are classified as \u201cproducts of low concern\u201d (PLC). Materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or perfluoroalkoxy polymers (PFA) are not only chemically resistant but also physiologically inert, with approvals according to FDA or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/usp-class-vi-approval\/\">USP Class VI.<\/a> Products made from these materials, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\/pfa-tubing\">PFA hoses<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tube-hose-connectors\/connectors-made-of-plastic\">plastic hose connectors<\/a>, are indispensable in medical technology, chemical engineering, the food industry, semiconductor manufacturing, and the pharmaceutical industry. Alternatives with equivalent properties are not available.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubings-and-pipes-made-of-rigid-plastics\/pfa-tubing\/28757\/pfa-chemical-tubing\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9362 size-medium\" title=\"PFA Chemical Tubing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfa-chemieschlauch-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"PFA Chemical Tubing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfa-chemieschlauch-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfa-chemieschlauch-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pfa-chemieschlauch-1.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tube-hose-connectors\/connectors-made-of-plastic\/screw-joints-for-rigid-tubes-and-pipes\/29061\/high-pure-t-shaped-pipe-connector-made-of-pfa\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9363 size-medium\" title=\"High-Pure T-Shaped Pipe Connector made of PFA\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/t-rohrverbinder-aus-pfa-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"High-Pure T-Shaped Pipe Connector made of PFA\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/t-rohrverbinder-aus-pfa-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/t-rohrverbinder-aus-pfa-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/t-rohrverbinder-aus-pfa.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Protecting the environment and human health requires careful handling of hazardous chemicals. However, a well-founded assessment of risks and benefits, as well as a differentiated classification and regulatory approach, should not be disregarded.<\/p>\n<pre><strong>Sources:\r\n<\/strong>[1]: https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.est.1c06896\r\n[2]: https:\/\/www.bfr.bund.de\/cm\/343\/per-und-polyfluorierte-alkylsubstanzen-pfas-veroeffentlichung-des-vorschlags-zur-beschraenkung-nach-der-reach-verordnung-bei-der-europaeischen-chemikalienbehoerde.pdf\r\n<\/pre>\n<pre><strong>Image Sources:<\/strong>\r\nHeader image | \u00a9 Francesco Scatena \u2013 stock.adobe.com\r\nUse of PFOS foam extinguishing agent for firefighting | \u00a9 Peter Togel \u2013 stock.adobe.com\r\nPan with PTFE coating | \u00a9 kardaska \u2013 stock.adobe.com\r\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the past, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were grouped under various terms such as per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, perfluorinated organic compounds, or highly fluorinated substances. In polyfluorinated alkyl substances, hydrogen atoms are partially replaced by fluorine atoms; in perfluorinated alkyl substances, they are completely replaced. To ensure consistent communication, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":13295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2748],"tags":[3952,3951,3933,3934,3935,3950,3936,3937,3940,3938,3939,3949,3941,3932,3942,3943,3944,3946,3945,3947,3948],"class_list":["post-16084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-all-articles","category-materials-in-chemistry","tag-aqueous-film-forming-foam-afff-en","tag-ban-on-fluoroplastics","tag-eu-chemicals-regulation-reach","tag-fluorinated-ethylene-propylene-fep","tag-fluoroplastics","tag-perfluorinated-alkyl-substances","tag-perfluoroalkane-sulfonyl-fluorides-pasf","tag-perfluoroalkoxy-polymers-pfa","tag-perfluoroalkyl-acids-pfaa","tag-perfluoroalkyl-ether-based-derivatives","tag-perfluoroalkyl-iodides-pfai","tag-perfluoroalkyl-substances","tag-pfa-hoses","tag-pfas-en","tag-pfas-ban","tag-pfas-ban-in-the-eu","tag-pfos-foam-extinguishing-agents","tag-polyfluorinated-alkyl-substances","tag-polyfluoroalkyl-substances","tag-polytetrafluoroethylene-ptfe","tag-polyvinylidene-fluoride-pvdf"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>PFAS Ban: Will All Fluoropolymers Be Prohibited? 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