PFAS Global 2024

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.

Ruxandra defends industry interests towards legal and regulatory challenges to EU market access. Her practice is focused on EU regulatory law and litigation with a strong emphasis on product, environmental and sustainability regulations, across a large number of sectors ranging from raw materials (chemicals, minerals) to products such as electronics, consumer apparel, medical devices, cosmetics, food and food contact materials. Ruxandra also advises on supply-chain related matters, in particular environmental and regulatory. Although rules and regulations apply per jurisdiction, companies operate globally – her expertise and advice assist companies address global challenges and risks. Ruxandra’s litigation experience is extensive (she defended close to 100 actions before the European Court of Justice and before the Board of Appeal of ECHA), and she has formed and continues to act as a trusted advisor to more than 30 industry groups.

Educated as hydrogeologist, Harrie has more than 25 years experience in research and development in a drinking water company in the Netherlands. Over time his role gradually evolved into a Senior Policy Advisor in the field of drinking water quality and quantity, both in The Hague and in Brussels.

For over 24 years Claudio Mereu has been focusing on EU Regulatory law, with an emphasis on the chemicals (REACH), pesticides, biocides and life sciences industry sectors. Claudio handles product approval and registration processes in the EU, related litigation before European and national courts, as well as ECHA’s Board of Appeal, and counsels companies on a wide range of business law matters relating to their international agreements and commercial presence in Europe. His expertise covers all aspects of product stewardship, regulations and restrictions (including notification, data protection, mutual recognition, classification & labelling, marketing and use restrictions, parallel imports, environmental liability, product recalls and data compensation negotiations, amongst others). Claudio is highly recommended as a Tier1 lawyer by Legal500 and Chambers Europe, and is a regular speaker and panelist at international conferences.

Valentina leads the Corporate Government Affairs activities in EMEA, i.e Chemours' engagement in political outreach and advocacy at EU and Member State level. She joined Chemours in March 2021, after over 5 years in Covestro AG Brussels liaison office.

René worked in a project studying the transport and degradation behavior of certain PFAS in complex near-natural systems, including soil, water and plants at Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME. Since then, René Lämmer has focused on PFAS analysis techniques and the determination of PFAS burdens in environmental systems in Germany and worldwide.

Dr. Yaorong Qian is the Senior Scientist at the Analytical Chemistry Branch, Biological and Economic Analysis Division of the Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Stephanie is a Policy Adviser at the Royal Society of Chemistry and works on sustainable chemicals policy. Her background in policy and economics helps bridge the gap between science and policy on complex questions about chemicals, waste, and pollution.

Emil is a Senior Consultant at the Danish Technological Institute, holding a PhD in materials chemistry from Aarhus University. For the past 2.5 years, Emil has specialized in PFAS, focusing on substitution strategies and identifying alternatives in industries where PFAS replacement is particularly challenging, such as the use of fluoropolymers in high-performance applications. 

Ralph is Head of Division Surface Technologies at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, and lecturer at the University of Bremen, Production Technologies, for „Surface Technology”.

Anna joined ChemSec in 2011 and has since focused on substitution of hazardous chemicals. As part of this she has managed the development of a number of tools for substitution, including SUBSPORT, the SIN List, the Marketplace and the PFAS Guide.

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.

Jeff Dawson is the Science Adviser in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In this role he assists with the development and implementation of risk-based approaches for the evaluation of new and existing industrial chemicals and pesticides. He is also responsible for PFAS coordination and homeland security policy. He has 25 years of public service as a scientist in OCSPP, including holding positions as the Acting Director of OPPT’s Risk Assessment Division and the Deputy Director of OPP’s Health Effects Division.

Dave Turk has been with EPA for over thirteen years. His focus is on improving the Agency’s ability to collect and disseminate information related to the management of chemicals.

Brandon’s practice draws on his diverse experience advising clients on operational, regulatory and environmental issues pertaining to the development, production, sale, and distribution of food, agricultural, and chemical products. He represents clients before a wide range of regulatory agencies, including FDA, USDA, EPA, OSHA, and state agencies.

Viviane André has been working for DG Environment of the European Commission since 2008, covering a wide array of topics, focusing in the most recent years on the implementation of Zero Pollution related legislation.