On February 7, 2023, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) published details of the proposed restriction of around 10,000 perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
This restriction will inevitably have a major impact on a wide range of industries and the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry is no exception.
During the consultation period ending on September 25, many industry associations discussed this restriction. For example, Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers (ASERCOM) and International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) picked PFAS as a key topic at ASERCOM Convention and the 10th International IIR Conference ‘Ammonia and CO2 Refrigeration technologies’ that were held in April.
On May 23, VDMA, the largest network organization and an important voice for the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry in Germany and Europe with 3,600 members, expressed its demands regarding the restriction. VDMA is against the EU policy that has advocated a blanket ban on around 10,000 PFAS substances which are indispensable for many industrial processes, because some of them are harmful when released into the environment. Therefore, VDMA demanded a differentiated regulation of the PFASs, which has a scientific basis, such as a general exemption from the ban on polymers ‘of low concern’ that are proven to be harmless, and an exception to the ban on PFAS products that do not come into contact with the environment. It also requests a transition period until the ban comes into force that is significantly longer than the envisaged 18 months and a much longer or indefinite period during which PFASs may be used for spare and replacement parts for machines and systems already on the market.
More industry associations are expected to express their respective opinions to protect the healthy growth of the industry in the future.
Post time: Jul-19-2023
