PFAS regulations – Plastic alternatives to PTFE and Co.

The planned PFAS regulation is a key issue for many industries, as it could affect not only short-lived chemicals but also long-lasting high-performance materials.

As part of the new regulation of short-chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) planned by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, and their applications are currently under review. The ECHA’s counterpart in the USA, the EPA, is also planning to implement PFAS regulation in the medium term under TSCA Section 8(a)(7). We have an overview of the latest developments!

What is PFAS?

PFAS is the abbreviation for per- and polyfluorinated chemicals. According to the latest estimates, this group of substances comprises more than 10,000 different substances. PFAS do not occur naturally and have only been manufactured since the late 1940s.

Chemically speaking, these organic compounds consist of carbon chains of varying lengths in which the hydrogen atoms are completely (perfluorinated) or partially (polyfluorinated) replaced by fluorine atoms. Perfluorinated carbon and sulfonic acids and their precursor compounds are the most commonly used.

Among PFAS, PTFE (colloquially known as Teflon) is particularly relevant for sealing technology because its favorable properties make it an well-established material.

Research into alternatives to PFAS is ongoing

PFAS ban – current status and further developments | UPDATE March 26, 2026

The consultation on the Socio Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) draft opinion began on 26 March 2026, with a deadline of 25 May 2026. During this 60-day period, stakeholders can submit substantiated data on the availability and technical feasibility of alternatives via a structured survey: this link brings you to the survey.

On 11 March 2026, ECHA’s SEAC adopted its draft opinion on the planned PFAS restriction procedure in Helsinki. This was the first time that a socio-economic assessment had been issued regarding the PFAS restriction procedure.

On 3 March 2026, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki adopted its opinion on the proposal to restrict PFAS. In the opinion, the RAC concluded that PFAS pose a growing risk to humans and the environment. These substances are highly persistent and contaminate groundwater and soil. They are also linked to serious health effects, such as cancer and reproductive harm. A broad-reaching ban is the most effective way to minimise these risks.

On August 20, 2025, ECHA published a revised background document, reaching another milestone in the process of implementing a PFAS regulation in 2025. This version is based on over 5,600 contributions from the public consultation and forms the basis for the ongoing ECHA PFAS regulation process.

Expanded areas of application

For the first time, ECHA is now considering applications that were not individually mentioned in the original proposal (January 2023). New additions include:

Printing processes
Seals (including numerous PFAS seals such as PTFE PFAS or FKM PFAS / Viton PFAS)
Mechanical engineering
Other medical applications
Military applications
Explosives technology
Technical textiles
Broader industrial applications

This puts PFAS in seals under greater scrutiny—with potential consequences for supply chains.

Possible restriction options

The ECHA is discussing various approaches:

Complete ban with few exceptions
Transition periods for essential applications
Dynamic conditions under which PFAS may continue to be used, provided that risks can be controlled

For companies, this means that alternatives should be explored wherever possible—such as PFAS-free seals or lubricants without PFAS.

Affected materials

The focus is particularly on fluoropolymers (e.g., PTFE PFAS, PVDF, FEP, ETFE) and fluoroelastomers (e.g., FPM PFAS, FFKM). These materials are considered indispensable in chemical and pharmaceutical applications, as well as in energy and mechanical engineering. Experts believe that production will have to be adapted to enable PFAS-free seals or substitutes in the long term.

International developments

International pressure is also mounting:

In the US, PFAS in imported goods will be subject to mandatory reporting from 2025.
States such as Minnesota and Maine have already passed specific product bans, including cookware, textiles, and outdoor equipment.

This means that PFAS regulation is gaining global importance.

What’s next for Europe?

The RAC (Risk Assessment Committee) and SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) are currently working on the proposal. Their opinions will form the basis for the decision by the EU Commission and the member states. Only then will it be clear whether a comprehensive ECHA PFAS regulation or differentiated regulations will come into force.

PFAS regulation for plastics and seals – our assessment

Supply chains: Bottlenecks for certain raw materials, and thus in PFAS seals, are already noticeable today.
Compliance: Documentation requirements are becoming mandatory for many companies.
Opportunities: In numerous applications, PFAS-containing seals can already be replaced by PFAS-free seals or alternative materials—often with better properties and greater cost-effectiveness..

We recommend analyzing existing products at an early stage and examining substitution options. Hänssler supports you in this with a broad portfolio of PFAS-free alternatives.

Conclusion

The planned PFAS regulation will have far-reaching implications for many industries. Those who explore alternatives in good time will not only be able to avoid risks, but also take advantage of new opportunities.

Conclusion

The planned PFAS regulation will have far-reaching implications for many industries. Those who start looking into alternatives early on will not only be able to avoid risks, but also take advantage of new opportunities.

PFAS-free seals

As experts in sealing technology, we are here to advise you.

Official ECHA announcement dated August 20, 2025, regarding the revision of the PFAS restriction proposal (http://echa.europa.eu, vdma.org)

Current technical articles on regulatory developments (specialchem.com, APA Engineering)

Information from the US EPA on TSCA Section 8(a)(7) (epa.gov)