Dr. Frauke Averbeck
Scientific Officer, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Germany
Dr. Frauke Averbeck has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Goettingen, Germany, obtained in 2005. Since 2008, she is employed at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in Division 5, the Federal Office for Chemicals (BfC). According to the German Chemicals Act, the BfC is appointed as the German competent authority for the implementation of the European Chemicals Regulation REACH. In the group "Evaluation of Chemicals and Risk Management", Dr. Averbeck coordinates, among other things, the national activities as well as the joint work of the authorities of the cooperating Member States (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) within the framework of the EU-wide PFAS restriction proposal.
Dec 5, 2023, 8:40 AM-8:55AM EST
EU-Wide Restriction Proposal Addressing PFAS As A Group – State of Play
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, PFAS, comprise a large group of man-made chemicals, which are produced and used in large quantities all over the globe. PFAS are found in many everyday products but are also used in many different industries and applications, e.g. in membranes for water treatment. PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and, once released, remain there for decades, if not centuries. In addition, they can either accumulate or are mobile in the environment and even reach humans e.g., via consumption of drinking water and food. It is well known, that some PFAS are harmful for human health and the environment. Therefore, if PFAS continue to enter the environment, concentrations will gradually increase and adverse effects will be inevitable.
In order to limit future emissions of PFAS into the environment, the authorities of five Euro-pean countries, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany, have submitted a joint proposal for an EU-wide restriction of all PFAS. This proposal, which was first published on 7 February 2023, is the most far-reaching restriction proposal that has so far been presented in the context of EU chemicals legislation. A third-party consultation on the proposal ended on 25 September 2023, with the number of contributions being already at a record high.
The presentation will outline the proposed restriction conditions and potential impacts. It will elaborate on the state-of-play and the next steps ahead and show how stakeholders can still contribute to the process.