RAC’s Provisional Conclusions on Key Sectors

The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has reached provisional conclusions on three significant and complex sectors:

• Transport – Includes vehicle conditioning, refrigeration, coatings, and foam mouldings across all modes of transport.
• F-Gases – Covers applications in refrigeration, heating, heat pumps, air conditioning, and foam blowing.
• Energy – Encompasses renewable energy generation, energy transport, storage, batteries, solar collectors, and fuel cells.

RAC has identified emission volumes for each sector, highlighting that F-Gases contribute the highest PFAS emissions, estimated at 40,000 tonnes per annum. With over 140 stakeholders in attendance, the discussions emphasised the critical role of these sectors in PFAS regulation.

Additionally, RAC agreed on a standardised approach for assessing alternatives, based on CLP criteria supplemented by additional hazard and risk information. However, uncertainties remain regarding the hazards and risks of potential alternatives.
To mitigate risks, RAC explored restriction options and sector-specific derogations based on risk considerations.

Next Steps – The next RAC session in June will focus on PFAS use in medical devices, lubricants, electronics, and semiconductors.

SEAC Discussions on Energy, Transport & F-Gases

The Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) held introductory discussions on energy and transport, following updates from the submitted dossier. These discussions will continue in June, alongside the introduction of topics on medical devices and lubricants.

SEAC also reached provisional conclusions on F-Gases, focusing on the availability of alternatives and the proportionality of restrictions. The primary benefit of the proposed restrictions is the environmental advantage of reducing emissions from persistent F-Gases.

The availability of alternatives plays a crucial role in determining replacement costs. With appropriate derogations, the goal is to achieve a balanced and proportionate restriction. SEAC also acknowledged the overlap between F-Gas regulations and other potential applications, including energy storage, batteries, solar cells, hydrogen, and various transport sectors such as cars, boats, planes, and trains.

Next Steps – In June, SEAC will finalise discussions on energy and transport while beginning deliberations on medical devices and lubricants.

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