What are PFASs?
Also known as ‘Forever Chemicals’ PFASs have been used extensively in the production of products that span the car industry to kitchenware, cosmetics to packaging. Their chemical make-up means they are highly resistant to extreme temperatures, pressure and corrosion, and their ability to repel oil, dirt and water makes them an appealing component across countless industries. Quite simply PFSAs are now found everywhere. But their longevity, once hailed as their USP, is now cause for extreme environmental and human concern.
Environmental Impact and Proposed Restrictions
The durability of Forever Chemicals means that they break down exceptionally slowly, remaining in the environment for decades if not centuries. As a result, the EU has now proposed a restriction of use, which if passed, could become one of the most extensive pieces of legislation impacting the chemical industry to ever be passed. The EU ban proposal initially focuses on the use of 10,000 variants of PFAS, but there is now a consultation gathering pace that focuses on the ban on production to export the chemical, which could also impact customers in higher tiers of the supply chain such as UK consumers.
The USA is already ahead of some of the world’s other larger economies, having instigated policies to drive down the presence of PFAS in drinking water, demonstrating a global drive to restrict PFAS usage in the future.
UK Impact
Forming part of the UK REACH programme, the UK Government continue to undertake periodic reviews of harmful substances, of which PFAS is a key focus. This is further amplified by the recent EU ban discussions and what feels like an inevitable chain of events that will likely lead to similar restrictions within the UK. As the UK’s supply chain spans the globe, naturally, restrictions enacted in the EU and other areas of the world will have ramifications for the UK, driven by the sub-tier impact.
Impact on Procurement and Supply Chain
Due to the proliferation of use of PFAS’s across so many industries, the restriction of its use is going to affect most supply chain professionals to a greater or lesser degree. So what should the focus be for supply chain professionals looking to mitigate the risk?
- Identification of exposure across our supply chains. Supply chain partners are likely to have better visibility of their lower tiers and greater control over their specifications/designs so it’s worth working closely with these partners.
- Seek an R&D budget for viable alternatives. Sourcing an alternative to PFASs is likely to be time consuming and difficult, so it’s sensible to set budget aside for this and to start working on viable alternatives now.
- Collaboration for change. Working closely with engineering or technical teams to design solutions that do not use PFAS will be more efficient than trying to remove the chemicals mid-use.
- Stay current with UK government policy. Whilst we are no longer members of the EU, it is likely that the UK will follow a similar path to the EU. At the very least, EU restrictions will have a bearing on the global supply chain.
- Understand the spread of PFAS amongst critical products that are procured, provided or used by the business. Only then can the associated impact to business operations be truly understood, should an EU or UK ban come into effect.
