PFAS Global Updates 2022

Benedikt founded the startup IonKraft with his Co-founder Dr. Montgomery Jaritz. IonKraft is a spin-off of the RWTH Aachen University. IonKraft's mission is to make plastic packaging for chemicals recyclable using plasma technology.

Mike is a member of the International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG) Working Group 9 – Emerging Chemicals and Environmental Regulations.  Working Group 9 is committed to developing an approach to help the Aerospace and Defense industry evaluate emerging global environmental and chemical regulations and their impact on compliance and potential operational risk for companies and their supply chain.

Mike Schade is the Seinor Director of Programs and Strategy at Toxic-Free Future. Since 2013, Mike led Toxic-Free Future’s Mind the Store program challenging retailers to shift the marketplace away from hazardous chemicals and develop comprehensive safer chemicals policies. Prior to joining TFF Mike was Markets Campaign Coordinator with the Center for Health Environment & Justice (CHEJ) where he led campaigns to phase out PVC plastic, phthalates, and bisphenol A in consumer products and packaging, and led the Buffalo office of a statewide environmental health organization. He has a BS in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo.

Jan Wölz, PhD biologist and ecotoxicologist by training, started his career about 13 years ago, and has been deeply involved with REACH, CLP, and Water Framework Directive related issues. He managed an ecotoxicological laboratory for several years and now heads the ecotoxicological department at Bayer pharmaceuticals and is concerned with various issues related with pharmaceuticals in the environment (PIE).

Natasa is the EMEA Regulatory & Government Affairs Manager for Environment & Sustainability at 3M. She joined 3M in September 2012 to work in the Public policy & government affairs office in Brussels. Her main focus areas are the European chemicals, environmental, climate and energy, and healthcare policies.

Samer holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a PhD in thermal management. He joined Chemours in 2019 and today, he leads the technology team for the Thermal & specialized solutions in EMEA region focusing helping the industry using safe standards & products in the refrigeration & heating applications.

Lauren Tamboer brings nearly a decade of experience in communications, education, outreach, and community engagement. Lauren has spent her career helping scientists communicate their complex research to diverse audiences. She currently leads communications and stakeholder involvement for the Safer Products for Washington program at the Washington Department of Ecology.

Frida has a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science. She has a solid background in the field of environmental NGOs. Frida joined ChemSec 2009 and is responsible for ChemSec strategic policy work as well as coordinating all ChemSec projects.

Xenia Trier has a background in analytical chemistry and physics, and since 2006 on analyses and science-policy on PFAS, including a Ph.D. on PFAS in paper and board food contact materials. Before re-joining University of Copenhagen in 2022, she worked at the European Environment Agency on chemicals, supporting the development and implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the PFAS and mixture strategies.

Charlotte has been employed in the Chemistry and Food Quality division of the Danish Veterinary and Food administration since 2013. Her main responsibilities are food contact materials, chemical contaminants and flavourings in food. The work includes policy development, ministerial service, control planning (inspections and analysis), training of inspectors, engagement and knowledge sharing with stakeholders.

Since 2020 Hélène has been part of the Chemicals team of ClientEarth specialising on the regulation of chemicals pollution. She is more specifically involved in legal matters related to the implementation of the main EU chemicals regulation, ‘REACH’.

Ed is Team Leader for the Chemicals policy team in Defra’s Chemicals Pesticides and Hazardous Waste division; managing a team of policy advisers on emerging chemicals policy issues. He has over five years' experience working in Defra delivering science programmes and environmental policy.

As VP of ACC’s CPTD division, Rob is responsible for managing ACC’s more than 100 self-funded chemical product and sector groups. Rob has had a variety of roles during his time at ACC, including responsibility for state, federal and international legislative and regulatory affairs on environmental, health, safety and energy issues. Rob has provided his expertise on PFAS chemistries to numerous state, federal and international legislative and regulatory bodies to help inform public policy.

André Algazi joined California’s innovative Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulatory program in 2013. The program regulates product-chemical combinations that may expose people or environmental organisms to potentially harmful chemicals; manufacturers of these Priority Products are required to identify and thoroughly evaluate potentially safer alternatives to using Chemicals of Concern. André’s team has evaluated dozens of chemicals in a range of consumer product categories and has developed technical documents to support regulation of more than a dozen specific products.

Having devoted most of his career to the FluoroProducts industry, Marcel has served as senior business director at DuPont and subsequently at Chemours - the inventors of most of the Fluoropolymers in use today. Recognizing the responsibility of business in creating a more sustainable future, Marcel now leads the chemical group within the World Business Council For Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and helps all stakeholders to reach a balanced outcome with respect to the PFAS challenge in the role of VP advocacy and regulatory affairs at GFL

Currently, Deepak heads the European business, mainly Fluoropolymers, of Gujarat Fluorochemicals – one of the leading Fluoropolymers & Chemicals producer globally. He is also the Managing Director of Company’s subsidiary located in Hamburg, Germany.

Andrew has reported on the science of chemical risk management and regulation for over a decade. In addition to writing news articles on the latest developments, he moderates events, contributes to the podcast, and provides analysis of key topics, including mixture effects, NAMs, nanomaterials, PFAS, and test method validation.

Julia has reported on US PFAS regulations at the federal and state levels since she joined Chemical Watch News & Insight in 2021. She also covers action on substances in food contact materials and personal care products.