EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Supplerende svar på spørgsmål 49: Spm. om, hvilke interessenter, virksomheder mv. ministeriet har været i dialog med i forbindelse med ønsket om at indføre et forbud imod anvendelsen af PFAS, til miljøministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren

Europaudvalget 2022-23 (2. samling)
EUU Alm.del
Offentligt

Date: .07/09/2021

Kind attention:

Mr. Martijn Beekman - Netherlands

Dr. Mandy Lokaj - Germany

Mrs. Jenny Ivarsson - Sweden

Mr. Toke Winther - Denmark

Mr. Audun Heggelund - Norway

Mr. Mark Blainey - ECHA

[email protected]

Through:

fluorseals S.p.A - Via Tribolina, 20/22 - 24064 Grumello del Monte (BG) - Italy

The members of fluorseals S.p.A mainly focus on processing of Fluoropolymers, part

manufacturing and its applications, the involvement of downstream users in PFAS process.

Subject:

PFAS restriction proposal & request for exemption of FLUOROPOLYMERS

Reference:

PFAS - Registry of restriction intentions until outcome (RoI) dated 15

July 2021

Dear Sir/Madam,

With regards to Registry of Intention (RoI) filed by 4 EU Member States (Germany, the Netherlands,

Sweden, and Denmark) & Norway for the restriction of PFAS, we, a member of fluoropolymer

downstream user industry, hereby, would like to share some salient facts related to the importance

of fluoropolymers, critical functionalities, performance and benefits of its applications to society,

while acknowledging concerns regarding PFAS emissions related to the use of fluoropolymers and

their end of life.

Registry of Intention for PFAS restriction was announced by ECHA on 15

July 2021, to prepare a

restriction proposal for PFAS. Fluoropolymers are also included in the scope. The restriction

proposal is intended to be submitted to ECHA by 15

July 2022.

Fluoropolymers are a distinct subset of PFAS and are inherently safe, non-mobile, non-bio

accumulative and non-toxic. Fluoropolymers are different from other PFAS as they

do not share

the toxicological and environmental profiles

associated with PFAS of concern. Fluoropolymers

have

unique set of physicochemical properties,

they meet OECD polymer of low concern criteria,

and are considered to have

insignificant environmental and human health impact.

Fluoropolymers ensure safety, reliability, durability and critical performance in numerous

technologies, industrial processes and everyday applications that are important for human health,

safety, and the environment. With a unique combination of functionalities, fluoropolymers are

irreplaceable across many key sectors/applications. Alternatives to fluoropolymers, if exist,

escalate safety risks, carbon footprint, technology regression, and do not match the advanced

performance of fluoropolymers. Most importantly, restriction on fluoropolymers will make EU

industry lose its technological superiority over other economies

and could put Europe’s climate and

energy goals at risk. Overall, fluoropolymers contribute heavily to

Europe’s

socio-economic status

and are critical for the betterment of the society.

730 rue des Barronnières 01700 BEYNOST (Fr) – 0472456038 – +33 (0)4 72 45 60 38 – www.approflon.com

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Supplerende svar på spørgsmål 49: Spm. om, hvilke interessenter, virksomheder mv. ministeriet har været i dialog med i forbindelse med ønsket om at indføre et forbud imod anvendelsen af PFAS, til miljøministeren, kopi til udenrigsministeren

The fluoropolymer downstream user industry acknowledges the concerns regarding PFAS

emissions due to the use of fluoropolymers and end of life processes. We wish to assure the

authorities and EU Member States that, we are implementing Best Available Technologies to

ensure reduction in PFAS emissions in a systematic way and eventually eliminating them to achieve

EU’s sustainability goals. Parallelly, we are consciously working

on recyclability and reusability to

meet circular economy goal.

Fluoropolymers play an important role in achieving EU Green Deal objectives and UN Sustainable

Development Goals (UN SDG) because of their vital use in Lithium-ion batteries, Green hydrogen,

Fuel Cell, Solar and Wind energy. No new-age technologies are possible without the use of

fluoropolymers. Restriction on the use of fluoropolymers would adversely impact implementation

of these technologies crucial for

planet’s future

as well as in all existing applications vital for the

society.

Considering the benefits of fluoropolymer applications to environment and society, low PFAS

emissions and initiatives being taken by the processing industry to further minimize emissions and

closing the loop by implementing circular economy wherever possible, we request for a

complete

exemption of fluoropolymers from the PFAS restriction proposal.

Fluoropolymers processed by us:

Virgin PTFE, PTFE with charge, PCTFE, PFA, FEP, ETFE, PVDF, PEEK

Service application industries:

Chemical, Oil Industry, Medical, Food, Automotive, Aeronautic, Electronic; Mechanical,

Construction.

Sincerely yours,

Name and signature

Bruno PIANTE

730 rue des Barronnières 01700 BEYNOST (Fr) – 0472456038 – +33 (0)4 72 45 60 38 – www.approflon.com