PFAS under REACH — A Conversation with Jane S. Vergnes, Ph.D.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jane Vergnes, Director of Toxicology and Vice President, Scientific Affairs at B&C and its consulting affiliate, The Acta Group (Acta®), discusses the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations in the European Union (EU). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released a long-awaited restriction proposal for PFAS on February 7, which is complex and has significant implications. The proposal is currently open for a six-month consultation period until late September, and it is advised that regulated entities on both sides of the Atlantic review and provide comments on the proposal. The conversation between the host and Dr. Jane covers various aspects, including the risk options considered by ECHA, the proposed regulations, potential legal vulnerabilities in ECHA's approach, and recommendations for preparing for the final restrictions, whenever they are issued and in whatever form they take.