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Programme

Timings are in CEST

  1. Session 1 - The Future of Fluoropolymers Beyond the Proposed EU PFAS Restriction

  2. Welcome and introduction

    Andrew Turley Andrew Turley
    Science Editor, Chemical Watch
  3. Authority Perspectives

  4. Keynote  How does the EU PFAS restriction contribute to the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability ambition and how can fluoropolymers be considered in that context?

    Cristina de Avila Cristina de Avila
    Head of Unit, Sustainable Chemicals, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission

  5. Overview of progress of the PFAS restriction proposal under REACH and next steps

    • Progress made so far
    • Studies on several uses 
    • Next steps, especially next consultation round (mid July till mid September)
    Martijn Beekman Martijn Beekman
    Policy Officer, DG Grow, European Commission

  6. Information needs for a targeted PFAS restriction

    •       What we know
    •       Data gaps
    •       Other helpful information
    •       No data, no market?
    Carl Dannenberg Carl Dannenberg
    Scientific Officer, Federal Office for Chemicals, BAuA, Germany

  7. Q&A and panel discussion

  8. Break and networking

  9. Exposure and Life Cycle Issues of Fluoropolymers

  10. Fluoropolymer applications in the context of the EU Green Deal

    • Fluoropolymers have unique physico-chemical properties and should be distinguished from other PFASs
    • Fluoropolymers are irreplaceable and critical for enabling the EU Green Deal and the competitiveness of EU industry
    Ronald Bock Ronald Bock
    Senior Advocacy and Regulatory Manager, AGC Chemicals Europe / Chair of the Fluoropolymer Group, PlasticsEurope

  11. Case Study: The importance of fluoropolymers across the hydrogen value chain

    • Contribution of hydrogen technologies to the Green Deal
    • PFAS use in hydrogen technologies: the case of PEM electrolysers and fuel cells
    • Role of research for use reduction and potential alternatives
    • End-of-life considerations
    Bastien Bonnet-Cantalloube Bastien Bonnet-Cantalloube
    Junior Policy Officer, Hydrogen Europe

  12. Case Study: The road to PFAS-free footwear 

    • Detox journey – a class approach and restricted substances list (RSL) best practices
    • North Star of this journey – safe, effective, affordable and avoiding ‘regrettable substitutions’
    • Ubiquitous – why in all these places?
    • Step-by-step guide
    • Challenges
    • Conclusion
    Chris Enlow Chris Enlow
    Sustainability Consultant

  13. Are fluoropolymers really of low concern for human and environmental health, and separate from other PFASs?

    • The history of pollution from fluoropolymer production is closely tied to use of PFASs as polymer processing aids
    • Monomer, oligomer and synthesis byproduct are emitted during the production of fluoropolymers
    • Fluoropolymers are persistent, and there are major questions around the disposal of fluoropolymers
    Rainer Lohmann Rainer Lohmann
    Professor of Oceanography, The University of Rhode Island

  14. Overview of key legal issues in connection with the proposed PFAS restriction as it applies to PTFE

    • Review of the proposed restriction for PFASs under REACH as it applies to PTFE
    • Analysis of the grouping approach held by the proposed PFAS restriction with regards to the restriction’s conditions set forth by REACH (effectiveness, practicability and monitorability)
    • Review of the proposed PFAS restriction as it applies to PTFE with regards to the fundamental legal principles of the EU (proportionality, subsidiarity)
    Elodie Simon Elodie Simon
    Lawyer - Of Counsel, Jones Day

  15. Q&A

  16. Short break

  17. Session 1 panel discussion

    • Given that fluoropolymer exposures vary widely, how should we be thinking about exposure?
    • What is driving the presence of highly stable chemistries in products with different life cycles?
    Cristina de Avila Cristina de Avila
    Head of Unit, Sustainable Chemicals, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
    Ronald Bock Ronald Bock
    Senior Advocacy and Regulatory Manager, AGC Chemicals Europe / Chair of the Fluoropolymer Group, PlasticsEurope
    Rainer Lohmann Rainer Lohmann
    Professor of Oceanography, The University of Rhode Island

  18. Networking, break and Chemical Watch live demo 14.05–14.50

  19. Session 2 - PFAS Alternatives

  20. Alternatives case study 1

    Switching to fluorine-free water repellent solutions in textile applications: Selected case studies highlighting feasibility, obstacles and limitations in switching from C6-fluorocarbon based solutions to PFAS-free.

    • Chemical background and how water repellency works (elementary level)
    • Performance differences and limitations of C6 and PFAS-free textile applications
    • The main challenges in moving to PFAS-free 
    Luka Stefan Kovacevic Luka Stefan Kovacevic
    Product Management Water Repellents, Rudolf Group

  21. Alternatives case study 2

    PFAS-free cook and bakeware

    The Cookware Company has been offering a PFAS-free choice of non-stick cookware to the consumer since 2007. They will expand on how they brought their ceramic coating technology to fruition as a viable, affordable alternative to replace various other uses of PTFE.

    Wim De Veirman Wim De Veirman
    Co-founder & CEO, The Cookware Company
    Chris Phillips Chris Phillips
    Chief Sustainability Officer, The Cookware Company (CWC)

  22. Panel discussion: PFAS alternatives

    • Alternatives are already on the market, but are they effective? What is in them? How can we avoid regrettable substitution because of lack of data?
    • Is there truly an ‘alternative’ for the carbon-fluorine bond, which is powerful and unique? Beyond what is already on the market, how do we encourage innovation? Is there a viable pathway via ‘safe and sustainable by design’? Are the commercial incentives sufficient? Are there lessons to be learned from other sectors that invest heavily in R&D? Are rules about protection of intellectual property rights working well in this context?

      Moderator: Andrew Turley, Science Editor, Chemical Watch

    Xenia Trier Xenia Trier
    Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
    Chris Enlow Chris Enlow
    Sustainability Consultant
    Luka Stefan Kovacevic Luka Stefan Kovacevic
    Product Management Water Repellents, Rudolf Group
    Wim De Veirman Wim De Veirman
    Co-founder & CEO, The Cookware Company
    Chris Phillips Chris Phillips
    Chief Sustainability Officer, The Cookware Company (CWC)

  23. Short break

  24. Session 3 - Updates from the US
  25.  

    Moderator:

    Terry Hyland Terry Hyland
    Senior Editor, North America, Chemical Watch

  26. Overview of PFASs in the US: Uses and history

    Robert J. Simon Robert J. Simon
    Vice President, Chemical Products & Technology Divisions, American Chemistry Council

  27. Q&A

  28. Chemical identity and the EPA process for approving new PFAS chemicals

    Richard Engler, Ph.D. Richard Engler, Ph.D.
    Director of Chemistry, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

  29. Q&A

  30. Regulating PFASs as a class – a panel session

    Panellists:

    Dr Anna Reade Dr Anna Reade
    Staff Scientist, Healthy People & Thriving Communities Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, USA
    Dr Robyn Prueitt, PhD, DABT Dr Robyn Prueitt, PhD, DABT
    Senior Toxicologist, Gradient

  31. Q&A

  32. Short break

  33. An overview of all pending or anticipated US federal regulations

    Jonathan Gledhill Jonathan Gledhill
    President, Policy Navigation Group

  34. The Proposed TSCA (8) PFAS Reporting Rule

    Stephanie Griffin Stephanie Griffin
    Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, US EPA

  35. Q&A

  36. EPA-regulated products and PFASs including the recent pesticides and PFAS issue

    Jeffrey L Dawson Jeffrey L Dawson
    Senior Science Advisor, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, EPA

  37. Food contact materials regulations and PFASs

    Kathryn C Skaggs Kathryn C Skaggs
    Partner, Keller and Heckman LLP

  38. Q&A

  39. State level actions – a panel session

    Lola Flores Lola Flores
    Washington State Department of Ecology, USA
    Karl Palmer Karl Palmer
    Chief, Safer Consumer Products Branch, California Department of Toxic Substances Control

  40. Q&A

  41. Close of conference

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