Overview of ECHA’s PFAS proposal

Euralarm has published an updated fact sheet outlining the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)’s proposed restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are commonly used in firefighting gases.

Submitted by Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the proposal broadly addresses PFAS applications across 14 sectors, including fluorinated gases used in firefighting.

This fact sheet is intended to inform Euralarm members and stakeholders about the key aspects of the restriction’s potential impact, specifically on fluorinated firefighting gases, as reported by Euralarm.

The ECHA proposal categorises PFAS uses across various sectors, from textiles to medical devices, and from metal plating to firefighting gases.

According to Euralarm, the document places a particular focus on how these restrictions might influence the use of fluorinated gases for fire suppression.

Focus on fluorinated firefighting gases

Within the “Applications of fluorinated gases” sector, firefighting gases represent a small fraction, approximately 3%, in comparison to other applications such as refrigeration and foam blowing.

Firefighting gases under review include HFC-227ea, HFC-125, FK-5-1-12, and HB-55, all of which are governed by EN 15004 or ISO 14520 standards.

Euralarm highlights that these gaseous extinguishing systems are non-emissive until deployed to combat fires, with estimated annual emissions from the fire protection bank at around 3%.

Annex E of the ECHA proposal reviews firefighting gases and recognises their specific needs, including a recommended derogation for cases where alternative options present challenges.

ECHA’s recommendation on transition and derogation periods

The ECHA proposal includes a phased approach to implementing the PFAS restriction, suggesting an 18-month transitional period post-Entry into Force (EiF), followed by a 12-year derogation for firefighting applications.

This period considers the need for confidence in fire safety systems and acknowledges the difficulty in finding equivalent alternatives that do not compromise human safety or risk cultural and other valuable assets.

Euralarm reports that ECHA recognises that for some applications, non-fluorinated alternatives may not provide comparable levels of performance.

Consequently, the proposal emphasises a longer derogation period to support fire safety and asset protection.

Stakeholder feedback and next steps in the legislative process

The consultation on ECHA’s proposal gathered extensive feedback, with over 5,600 comments received from a range of stakeholders, including companies, individuals, and trade associations.

Submissions came primarily from Sweden, Germany, and Japan, with many contributions motivated by local advocacy campaigns.

These stakeholder inputs will guide the development of ECHA’s scientific opinions, prepared by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC).

The ECHA has outlined its next steps, which include further review and opinion development, leading up to a vote in the European Parliament and Council.

A timeline indicates that, given the complexity of the issue, the EiF for the proposed PFAS restrictions is unlikely before the end of 2025.

Euralarm updates fact sheet on PFAS restriction proposal for firefighting gases: Summary

Euralarm has released an updated fact sheet detailing the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) proposal to restrict PFAS use within the EU.

The ECHA proposal, submitted by five European nations, covers PFAS applications across multiple sectors, with a particular focus on firefighting gases within fluorinated gases.

The fact sheet discusses key fluorinated firefighting gases, such as HFC-227ea and FK-5-1-12, and highlights ECHA’s recommendation of an 18-month transitional period and a subsequent 12-year derogation specific to firefighting applications.

This approach accounts for the challenges in finding alternative gases that do not risk safety or valuable assets.

Stakeholder feedback from thousands of submissions is being considered by ECHA’s committees as they move forward with legislative processes, with a final decision anticipated no earlier than late 2025.