Science-based regulation for a sustainable future

PFAS, the abbreviation for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, represent a universe of chemical substances. These include perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acids (PFNA) and numerous other substances. However, only a few hundred different substances that meet the current PFAS definition are used in industry – many of which are already regulated in Switzerland.

Fluoropolymers in particular owe their essential use in modern industry to their specific properties: they withstand high temperatures, high pressure, low pH values and other extreme conditions under which chemical processes often take place. In addition, thanks to their low surface tension, they are water, oil and dirt repellent. Fluoropolymers are important materials in industrial processes in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry because they have these properties at the same time.

An indispensable part of daily life

From reducing friction in mechanical parts to extending the lifespan of products, PFAS are indispensable in today's world in seals, computer chips, solar cells, building seals, diagnostics and scientific research and development. However, the use of these materials also ensures that products, such as medicines, are protected from being altered by environmental influences.

In addition to their use in the chemical and technical industries, PFAS are also used in a wide range of areas in our daily lives, where they provide great benefits. Whether in functional clothing for firefighters, in foams for fire extinguishing or in medical technology for coating thin syringes for babies – many inconspicuous but essential applications for life and limb cannot do without PFAS.

A core element of the energy transition

PFAS also play a key role in the energy transition: they are an integral component of photovoltaic systems, battery storage and wind turbines. Without these materials, the high-performance batteries in electric cars and e-bikes would not work, and solar panels would not be able to withstand the effects of the weather for a sufficiently long time or supply more energy than was previously needed for their production.

In Swiss residential buildings, PFAS enable efficient heat transport in currently used heat pumps, thus contributing to a sustainable energy supply. In addition, PFAS help to reduce resource consumption and the amount of waste generated. Thanks to their high resistance to environmental influences, they extend the life cycles of many products and enable consumers to use them for longer.

‘Forever chemicals’ – or not?

The persistence of this group of chemical compounds, which is desirable for use in technical processes and products, can be considered problematic if they are released into the environment. PFAS are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they are water-soluble and only degrade very slowly in the environment. This can lead to long-term accumulation in the environment.

However, not all PFAS are the same: the substances can vary greatly and have different properties. For example, active ingredients in medications that meet the PFAS definition are indeed degradable. The impact of fluoropolymers on humans and the environment can also be categorised as low compared to alternative chemicals.

Media focus on food in St. Gallen

In summer, a small group of PFAS, which have been regulated in food legislation by means of limit values since February 2024, came into the media spotlight. At the end of August 2024, the canton of St. Gallen announced that meat from certain farms was currently not allowed on sale. This is because the newly applicable limit values have been exceeded.

In this context, a number of questions need to be answered. In particular, how did the detected substances get into the meat? The canton of St. Gallen apparently suspects that the substances found their way into the animals via sewage sludge applied to the land – which was permissible until 2006 – and then via the feed produced there. However, this suspicion is not certain. Regardless of this specific case, society must address the question of how it intends to deal with any further cases from a societal perspective.

Finding solutions and alternatives

The search for alternative substances that have a unique combination of properties and a comparatively low hazard potential is in full swing. However, this is proving difficult in many areas and will also take some time. This is also a current area of research in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry and other sectors of the economy.

Industry is taking its responsibility seriously: it is investing considerable financial and human resources to address recognised problem cases of releases into the environment. Various member companies of scienceindustries in the PFAS-specific remediation of contaminated sites are providing the majority of the financing. This is even the case when the pollution of a fire training area can also be traced back to the shared use of the local fire brigade and numerous local and base fire brigades from all over Switzerland.

Development of new technologies

Other member companies are involved in the development of new technologies. These include, for example, the clean-up of contaminated water compartments. Thanks to research and innovation by scienceindustries' member companies, the number of sites for which society is accountable is constantly decreasing and they are being remediated more and more effectively.

Studies such as those by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation also show that PFAS chemicals can be destroyed by proper reprocessing and waste disposal. This helps to mitigate potential end-of-life problems.

Balancing of interests and targeted regulation is essential

What does all this mean for future regulation? PFAS are a broad class of chemicals. Some PFAS are water-soluble and toxic, which is why regulatory authorities around the world are called upon to protect people and the environment. Regulating PFAS requires a precise definition and a careful consideration of the pros and cons.

On 19 September 2024, the EU Commission decided to subject a class of PFAS, known as perfluorohexanoic acids (PFHxS, English PFHxA), to a restriction under the chemicals legislation REACH [1]. To this end, the use of this one class of substances is effectively banned in a conclusive list of product classes [2] and a very low limit value. This is being done because the EU Commission has concluded that the social benefits of these uses do not outweigh the potential risks. We consider this balancing of interests to be an essential prerequisite before restrictions and bans are put into effect.

Political discussion in Switzerland welcomed

In Switzerland, various parliamentary initiatives on PFAS have been launched. We consider two of them to be extremely important and have actively supported their adoption by both chambers. These are the Maret motion (22.3929) and the Moser postulate (22.4585). With the Moser postulate, Parliament instructed the Federal Council to create the basis for risk-based regulation and to identify the relevant uses, possible emission pathways and possible alternatives to PFAS.

The Maret motion instructs the Federal Council to set limit values for waste and contaminated sites. These should, on the one hand, meet societal health needs and, on the other hand, take into account environmental conditions and feasibility. Both instruments are complex in terms of the task at hand and costly to implement.

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry is part of the solution

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland is convinced that it can make relevant contributions to both parliamentary mandates and is part of the solution. Responsible production and use of PFAS can protect both the environment and public health while maximising the benefits for other important societal goals – such as reducing CO2 emissions, achieving a renewable energy supply and conserving natural resources through long-lasting products.

PFAS are currently indispensable chemicals for modern society and are an important core element in countless areas of life. A scientifically sound and pragmatic regulation is therefore crucial to continue to reap the benefits of these substances while protecting people and the environment. The chemical-pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland is ready to take on this challenge and work in close collaboration with authorities and civil society on sustainable solutions.

[1] Commission restricts use of a sub-group of PFAS chemicals

[2] The affected areas of application are:

(a) textiles, leather, furs and hides in clothing and related accessories for the general public;

(b) footwear for the general public;

(c) paper and cardboard used as food contact materials

(d) mixtures for the general public;

(e) cosmetic products