PFAS
PFAS legislation and its impact on fluoropolymer materials for sealing devices
Following from our previous issues, the topic of PFAS is still very prominent. In this article Sandy Van den Broeck and Ralf Vogel from the ESA discuss the issues of PFAS and the evolving regulations that could significantly impact the use of fluoropolymers in critical industrial applications.
By Sandy Van den Broeck and Ralf Vogel, ESA
About the authors
Sandy van den Broeck, ESG Director
Ralf Vogel, Technical Director of the European Sealing Association Both authors are mechanical engineers with 30 + years of experience in the sealing industry, mainly with packings and gaskets. Sandy van den Broeck is the ESG Director and Ralf Vogel the Technical Director of the European Sealing Association.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances( PFAS), often referred to as“ forever chemicals,” have been at the centre of growing regulatory scrutiny worldwide due to their persistence in the environment, potential health risks, and widespread presence in various consumer products. PFAS, a class of over 9,000 synthetic chemicals, are used in a range of applications such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foams and industrial processes. Fluoropolymers, a subset of PFAS, have become crucial in high-performance valve applications, particularly due to their chemical resistance, thermal stability, low friction and durability. With increasing global concern over PFAS contamination in water sources and the health risks associated with exposure, governments and regulatory bodies are imposing stricter regulations. However, as regulatory frameworks evolve, there is growing debate on how these regulations impact fluoropolymers materials considered vital to numerous industries but are often lumped together with the broader category of PFAS. Countries and regions around the world are responding to PFAS concerns with new legislation aimed at controlling and eventually phasing out these chemicals. The United States, Canada, the European Union and several other countries have taken steps to regulate PFAS in drinking water, food packaging, textiles and other sectors. United States: In 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) introduced new rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act( TSCA) that impose limits on PFAS in drinking water and mandate comprehensive reporting on PFAS manufacturing, usage and disposal. The EPA’ s roadmap also proposes designating certain PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act( CERCLA), which could accelerate efforts to clean up contaminated sites. Canada: On 5 th March 2025, the Canadian government published the State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances( PFAS) Report, marking a significant milestone in the country’ s efforts to address chemical substances that pose risks to human health and the environment. The report concludes that the class of PFAS— excluding fluoropolymers— poses potential harm to both people and ecosystems. Fluoropolymers, a subgroup within PFAS, will not be included in this assessment and will be considered separately at a later date. In response to the findings, the government is proposing to list PFAS( excluding fluoropolymers) as a class under Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999( CEPA).
38 Valve World June 2025 www. valve-world. net