PFAS regulation continues to develop across Europe and the UK, and for businesses using fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA, it can be difficult to separate proposed changes from requirements that are already in force.
Since our previous updates, ECHA has progressed its assessment of the proposed universal PFAS restriction, while the UK Government has published its first dedicated PFAS Plan.
The key point for manufacturers and engineers is that the proposed universal EU PFAS restriction has not yet been finalised.
ECHA is expected to complete its scientific assessment by the end of 2026. The European Commission has confirmed that it will then develop its restriction proposal.
Source: European Commission – PFAS update, June 2026
Where do PTFE, FEP and PFA fit into PFAS?
PFAS covers a very large and diverse family of fluorinated substances.
PTFE, FEP and PFA sit within the fluoropolymer group. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate specifically identifies these materials as examples of fluoropolymers within the wider PFAS family.
Importantly, that does not mean every PFAS substance has the same properties, uses or regulatory considerations.
Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate – PFAS and Forever Chemicals
What has changed in Europe?
The original proposal for a broad restriction on PFAS under REACH was submitted to ECHA in January 2023.
Following consultation and further assessment, ECHA published an updated restriction proposal in August 2025.
Source: ECHA – Updated PFAS restriction proposal
A further important step came in March 2026, when ECHA announced that its scientific committees supported EU-wide action on PFAS, while also supporting targeted derogations for certain uses.
This is significant because it shows that the developing approach is more complex than a simple blanket ban. The assessment considers where restrictions should apply, where derogations may be appropriate and how emissions should be controlled for uses that continue.
Source: ECHA – PFAS restriction with targeted derogations, March 2026
ECHA is now working towards completing its scientific assessment by the end of 2026.
What happens next?
Once ECHA completes its assessment, the European Commission will prepare its restriction proposal.
The Commission has indicated that PFAS use in consumer products is likely to face stricter controls, while continued use in some industrial applications may be considered where adequate alternatives are not currently available.
That does not guarantee an exemption for any particular fluoropolymer application, but it does mean manufacturers should be cautious about interpreting the current process as an immediate ban on PTFE, FEP or PFA.
The final scope, derogations, transition periods and implementation requirements are still to be decided.
Source: European Commission – PFAS regulatory update, June 2026
Are some PFAS already restricted?
Yes.
Separate restrictions already exist for particular PFAS substances and uses across the EU, including measures relating to PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and certain other PFAS groups.
These existing measures should not be confused with the wider universal PFAS restriction currently being assessed by ECHA.
Source: European Commission – PFAS pollution and regulation
What is happening in the UK?
Great Britain is developing its own approach through UK REACH.
In February 2026, the UK Government published its first PFAS Plan, describing its intended approach as science-based and proportionate.
The Government also recognises that some PFAS currently perform important functions where suitable alternatives may not yet exist.
Of particular relevance to Adtech customers, the plan includes further research into the historic and current use of fluoropolymers in the UK to help inform future policy.
Source: UK Government – PFAS Plan: Building a Safer Future Together
This means companies supplying products into both Great Britain and the EU will need to continue monitoring the two regulatory routes separately.
What about medical applications?
The US FDA has also reviewed fluoropolymers used in medical devices.
Its current position is that there is no reason to restrict the continued use of these fluoropolymers in medical devices.
The FDA also reports that an independent review considered more than 1,750 peer-reviewed scientific articles and data from over 1,800 healthcare provider organisations, finding no conclusive evidence of patient health issues associated with PTFE as a material.
Source: US FDA – PFAS in Medical Devices
This is specific to medical devices in the United States, but it reinforces the importance of looking at individual materials and applications rather than treating every PFAS in exactly the same way.
What should manufacturers do now?
For businesses using PTFE, FEP, PFA or other fluoropolymers, the priority should be understanding where these materials are used and why they have been specified.
That means reviewing:
- which fluoropolymers are used within products and processes
- which performance properties are essential
- where finished products are supplied
- whether suitable alternatives genuinely exist
- what changing material could mean for performance, validation or certification
For highly engineered applications, replacing a fluoropolymer is not always a simple material substitution.
What does this mean for Adtech customers?
For now, PTFE, FEP and PFA continue to be used across a wide range of industrial, medical and technical applications.
The European restriction process is progressing, but the proposed universal PFAS restriction has not yet reached its final legislative form.
At the same time, Great Britain is developing its own approach through UK REACH and the Government’s new PFAS Plan.
At Adtech, we will continue to monitor the official regulatory process and share updates as the position develops.
If you are reviewing an existing fluoropolymer specification or considering material options for a new application, our technical team can help assess the performance requirements involved and discuss the available options.
Information correct as of August 2026. This article is provided for general information and should not be treated as legal or regulatory advice.
Official sources
ECHA – Updated PFAS restriction proposal
ECHA – PFAS restriction with targeted derogations
European Commission – PFAS pollution and current regulation
