The European Parliament’s Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health has recommended implementing regulatory PFAS controls through existing F-gases regulation.
The study, produced at the request of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), examines how PFAS support EU industrial competitiveness and the potential impact of a full or partial restriction of f-gases.
The report recommends excluding F-gases from the scope of the uPFAS restriction and instead focusing all regulatory control of F-gases into the existing F-gas regulation.
“This will allow fostering the development of alternatives where possible in a more gradual way while still ensuring Europe retains the capacity to innovate in green technologies,” the report states.
Current European proposals to restrict PFAS
The study is in response to proposals from five European member states – Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark – to restrict PFAS substances under the European REACH regulations.
The proposal would impose bans on the single-component gases R125, R134a, R143a, and the HFOs R1234yf and R1234ze(E), which would affect virtually all new and current lower-GWP HFC/HFO refrigerant blends. The most significant refrigerant falling outside the PFAS definition is R32.
Substitution of f-gases found to be unfeasible
Focusing on six key fluoropolymers and F-gases used in aerospace, defence, green energy, and semiconductor sectors, the research found that substitution is often unfeasible, particularly in aerospace, defence and semiconductors.
Substantial economic losses and job impacts are predicted under both of the above restriction options, with risks to the EU’s global competitiveness.
The new report recognises heat pumps as a key green technology to achieve the ambitious targets set out in the European Green Deal and Fit-for-55 programme, and that, while alternatives using non-fluorinated gases are available, they are still a developing technology and not a universal replacement solution at present.
Additionally, it considers that cost and performance implications for potential alternatives may limit substitution potential.
The report explains: “The current F-gas Regulation covers many F-gases and many of their uses on an individual regulatory basis, and there is already a mechanism built into this regulation to ensure updates and revisions to reflect current technologies and alternatives within Europe.”
A more nuanced approach to phasing out harmful gases
The report maintains that the existing F-gas regulation would allow for a more “nuanced approach” to regulating and phasing down the use of F-gases, while fostering the development of alternatives in a more gradual way.
This would be far less disruptive to European industry, while still ensuring Europe retains the ability and capacity to innovate in green technologies.
