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  3. PFAS Updates Europe 2023

Programme

  1. Coffee and registration

  2. Welcome and introduction

  3. Session 1: PFAS – regulatory updates from Europe

  4. Latest European Commission update on the co-ordination of the different PFAS restriction proposals

    • Commission proposal on PFHxA restriction 
    • Finalised RAC and SEAC opinion on restriction of all PFAS in firefighting foams 
    • Most important discussion topics on broad PFASs restriction 

  5. ECHA updates on current processes for PFAS restriction proposals under REACH

    VIRTUAL PRESENTATION    

    • Overview of ECHA’s work on PFAS restrictions under REACH 
    • Restriction proposal on PFAS in firefighting foams: conclusions from the scientific assessment by ECHA’s committees 
    • Universal PFAS restriction proposal: the work ahead 

  6. The universal PFAS (UPFAS) restriction after the consultation period

    • Scope and concerns related to PFASs 
    • The UPFAS restriction proposal so far – what has been done 
    • Next steps: processing comments from the consultation and recommendations 

  7. Further important European updates from an NGO perspective

    • Scene setting
    • EU PFAS restrictions

    Jean-Luc Wietor, Deputy Manager, European Environmental Bureau

  8. Q&A

  9. Refreshment break

  10. Session 2: Legal and enforcement developments

  11. Are emergency interim proceedings suitable legal tools for PFAS victims?

    VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

    • Context of the worst PFAS contamination in France
    • Polluter pays principle and precautionary principle
    • Emergency interim proceedings: a suitable legal tool for PFAS victims?

  12. Brief individual Q&A

  13. Compliance and enforcement implications of PFAS restrictions

    • Challenges for enforcing authorities tasked with checking compliance
    • How enforcing authorities might target their inspections
    • How businesses could demonstrate compliance with the restriction

  14. Q&A

  15. Lunch and networking

  16. Chemical Watch platform demonstration

  17. Session 3: Different sector responses to the changing regulatory landscape

  18. Challenges and successes dealing with UPFAS restriction in the mechanical and plant engineering industries

    VIRTUAL PRESENTATION 

    • PFASs – determination of affected areas
    • Impact on the mechanical and plant engineering sectors 
    • Application example 
    • Analysis of draft regulation and VDMA position 

  19. Challenges and successes phasing out PFASs from the paper and board sector

    • PFASs in sector-specific legislation: food contact materials (FCMs) 
    • Focus on specific measures for the paper and board sector 
    • Why and how to measure PFASs? 
    • Case study examples 
    • Supporting innovation to phase out PFASs: the project with Qwarzo 

  20. Q&A

  21. Refreshment break

  22. Session 4: Developing solutions to the most urgent challenges

  23. Supply chain engagement: Substance identification and preparedness for substitution

    • Review of approaches for mapping substance uses  
    • Case studies about engagement with stakeholders in complex supply chains 
    • Aspects to be considered when preparing for substitution 

  24. What’s the alternative? Key challenges and barriers to achieving implementation of a PFAS restriction

    • The journey to developing PFAS alternatives 
    • Assessing function and performance 
    • Key challenges for achieving PFAS substitution in practice 
    • Case study examples 
    • Actions to success 

  25. Q&A and panel discussion: Given the scale of the new restrictions and timelines, how can we avoid more regrettable substitution?

    • Communication with the supply chain
    • Lifecycle of PFAS
    • Recycling and degradation products of different recycling methods

    Additional panellists:

  26. End of conference