For many manufacturers, the question is no longer whether restrictions will come, but whether their products are ready for the new regulatory landscape.

What are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemical compounds characterised by extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds. This structure gives them high stability and persistence.

Where are PFAS found?

PFAS may be closer than we think. They are used in cosmetics, waterproof clothing, food packaging, industrial components, and many consumer products, often without the end user being aware of their presence.

Their use is particularly widespread in sectors such as textiles, fluorinated gases, transport, electronics, and consumer goods.

Why have they been so successful?

The industrial success of PFAS is explained by their technical properties: they repel water, grease, and stains, withstand high temperatures, and deliver performance that is difficult to replace in many applications.

These characteristics have driven their widespread use across multiple industries for decades.

What are the risks?

However, these advantages come at a cost. PFAS are extremely persistent and can travel through water, soil, and the food chain, gradually accumulating in the environment and living organisms.

PFAS can accumulate in the human body through food, drinking water, and other exposure pathways. It is estimated that teenagers may be exposed to levels up to 15 times higher than the safety threshold.*

This growing environmental and health concern has made PFAS a regulatory priority in Europe.

European regulation is entering a decisive phase

The question is no longer whether PFAS will be more strictly regulated, but when and to what extent.

In 2026, the European Union enters a decisive stage: the ECHA is finalising its committee evaluations on the proposed restriction, before the European Commission and Member States make a final decision.

Companies are therefore expected to face increasingly strict requirements regarding chemical composition, traceability, and substance substitution.

Anticipation as a competitive advantage

At EIG, we work with the Cradle to Cradle® standard to help companies anticipate these chemical and regulatory risks.

Early identification of PFAS and other organohalogen compounds enables substitution strategies, the selection of safer alternatives, and the design of products prepared for an increasingly demanding regulatory environment.

Anticipation not only reduces regulatory risk, but can also become a competitive advantage for manufacturers and brands committed to sustainability and innovation.

* Sources:

1. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food;
2. ECHA – PFAS Use-mapping