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Consumer products to face PFAS ban, EU environment chief

says

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Five EU members backed broad PFAS ban almost two years ago

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Proposal next year at earliest, exemptions being examined

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Health impact raises litigation risks - Jefferies analysts

By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The European Commission

intends to propose a ban on the use of PFAS, or "forever

chemicals", in consumer products, with exemptions for essential

industrial uses, the EU's environment chief told Reuters.

PFAS, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, do

not break down in the environment, raising concerns about the

consequences of them building up in ecosystems, drinking water

and the human body.

They are used in thousands of items, from cosmetics and

non-stick pans to aircraft and wind turbines, due to their

resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion.

"What we know we are looking for is a ban in consumer

products," EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told

Reuters in an interview.

"This is something that is important for us human beings, of

course, but also for the environment, but I think also for the

industry so they know how they can phase out PFAS."

TWO YEARS AGO

Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden backed

a broad ban on PFAS almost two years ago yet Roswall said the

EU's proposal is not likely to come together before next year at

the earliest, as "essential" exemptions are determined.

Asthma inhalers and semiconductors used in green

technologies such as electric vehicles are some of the potential

"essential" uses, she noted, though these too will face

restrictions, including on how they are disposed of.

Industrial applications such as plastics and electronics

production account for most PFAS use, according to data from

Nordic countries' chemicals agencies.

Work by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to assess the

scope of the ban has drawn thousands of comments from, among

others, trade associations representing the car, clean energy

and plastics sectors, seeking exemptions such as one sought for

fluoropolymers, a PFAS used in everything from waterproof

clothes to solar photovoltaic cells.

LITIGATION OVER PFAS

Research linking PFAS exposure to health issues - including

liver damage, lower birth weights and testicular cancer - is

raising litigation risks for companies, Jefferies analysts said

in a note this month.

U.S. lawsuits have yielded settlements worth more than $11

billion involving companies including 3M ( MMM ) and Chemours Co ( CC )

over contamination of water.

Companies in Europe could face a "wave" of litigation over

pollution or downplaying its environmental and health harms,

said Hélène Duguy, a lawyer at environmental law firm

ClientEarth.

"ClientEarth is closely monitoring companies' conduct on

PFAS and will not shy away from action," Duguy told Reuters.