Federal Environment Minister sees great need for action on PFASs

Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke has underlined her call for restrictions on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS). “All PFAS are extremely persistent and cannot be removed from the environment even if one wanted to. That is why there is a great need for action with PFAS”, said the Green politician in an interview with the trade magazine “Industriearmaturen & Dichtungstechnik”.

In recent weeks, many companies and industry associations had expressed their concerns that possible PFAS restrictions could lead to locational and competitive disadvantages for European industry. The Federal Environment Minister rejects this accusation: “The restriction dossier of the authorities from five European countries [...] envisages that in future the production, use and placing on the market of PFAS will be restricted”, says Steffi Lemke.

The Federal Minister hopes for the innovative strength of companies and hopes that PFAS alternatives will be found as soon as possible. “If alternatives to PFAS are not yet available for certain important uses, there will be exceptions”, says Lemke. In particular, transitional periods could ensure that each industry could adapt to the new framework conditions within a reasonable time.

A decision by the EU Commission is expected in 2025. From 2026 at the earliest, the PFASs could be banned in Europe.