Press Release: Commission welcomes European Parliament’s agreement for strict rules on the use of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS)

The European Commission has welcomed the adoption by European Parliament of the proposal to severely restrict the use of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) in the EU. PFOS comprise a group of chemical substances which are persistent in the environment, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. The EP reached an agreement on the amended proposal of the EP rapporteur, Mr Carl Schlyter (Greens/European Free Alliance), in close cooperation with the Finnish Presidency and with the support of the Commission. The proposal places severe restrictions on the marketing and use of PFOS and related substances, and allows certain exemptions for essential small scale uses, where there is no unacceptable risk. This agreement by Parliament will pave the way for early adoption of the proposal by the Council. This proposal represents one of the last restrictions of dangerous substances under the current legislation and will be incorporated in the proposed new Regulation on chemicals (REACH) once it comes into force.