en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Swedish government recently released a memorandum for public consultation, proposing a ban on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in clothing, footwear, waterproofing products for clothing and footwear, cosmetics, kitchenware, and ski wax where PFAS content exceeds the limits set out in the restriction proposal currently under consideration by the European Union.
The Swedish government proposed this ban because the process of restricting PFAS under the EU's REACH regulation will still take several years to take effect. The document notes that the measure aims to reduce the release of these substances in the short term and maintain a national ban until equivalent EU regulations are implemented. In the textile and clothing industry, PFAS are used in textiles, furniture, leather, clothing, and carpets due to their water-, oil-, and stain-resistant properties as well as thermal stability. The document also notes that polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) accounts for nearly half of the PFAS used in these applications.
Sweden's Minister for Climate and Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, stated that this is a major victory for the health of the Swedish people and the environment. She emphasized that PFAS should not be present in clothing, cosmetics, kitchenware, and other everyday products when effective alternatives exist. The government does not intend to wait for these forever chemicals to continue spreading, and is therefore taking a decisive step ahead of the EU to end the unnecessary use of PFAS.
The proposal argues that technically and economically feasible alternatives exist for the use of PFAS in clothing. Based on the EU restriction proposal, business consultations, and industry voluntary initiatives, the document concludes that there is sufficiently strong evidence of high substitution potential when accompanied by an 18-month transition period with the ban. Sweden plans to grant exemptions for second-hand products, clothing made from at least 20% recycled materials from post-consumer waste, personal protective equipment, and waterproofing products used to re-waterproof such equipment.
The Swedish government acknowledges that some businesses will have to replace PFAS ahead of schedule or remove covered products from the Swedish market, which could lead to additional costs. However, the government also notes that companies that have already phased out these substances may gain a competitive advantage while the national ban is in effect. Meanwhile, the government announced an additional 10 million Swedish kronor (approximately €904,600) to support new actions by authorities and to conduct a study on economic instruments that could complement the regulation.
