The European Commission reviews the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. A key challenge for the textile machinery industry is the phase out of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). It is almost certain that PFAS as a group are prohibited unless the use falls under an allowed derogation or other exclusion. CEMATEX pushes the EU Commission to consider that for a series of applications there are no alternatives that offer sufficient functionality.

REACH recap

The European Commission reviews the Technical Annexes of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. The Regulation itself will not be opened for revision. Under the REACH regulation, a machinery producer must check electrical cables, plastic components, rubber hoses and seals, coatings and paints, adhesives, lubricants and greases, electronic components, bearings, metal alloys, surface treatments and hydraulic and pneumatic components, with its supplier for the presence of restricted substances. If substances of very high risk (SVHC) present at above threshold concentrations, the supplier needs to provide a REACH/SVHC declaration and guidance on safe use. The machinery producer needs to inform its professional customer of the presence and guidance for safe use.

What's at stake?

For the REACH revision, the technical annexes and restrictions on specific substances will be changed. Certainly, the restrictions on use of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are to be increased. CEMATEX informed the EU Commission that within the textile machinery, there are several applications for which there are no viable PFAS alternatives that offer sufficient functionality to make the applications work. Applications in scope are finishing machines, man-made fibres production, spinning and twisting machines, machines for nonwovens production, weaving and weaving preparatory machines, washing machines, singeing machines, dyeing machines, impregnating machines and drying machines. Seals, O-rings, shaft seals and gaskets are the most important case. For example, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seals are heat resistant and chemically inert and essential in applications with severe conditions.

Get in touch

If you have are using a component with PFAS for which you have no alternative, please provide us with a complete description of the application, condition of use (pressure, temperature, pH …), composition of the component (PFAS contents) and argumentation why there is a need for derogation. If the component is contained (inside the machine) and no PFAS emissions are possible, that increases the likelyhood for continued use. Get in touch with european.affairs@cematex.com.

Timeline

Currently, there is a general survey for open comments on any aspect of the European Chemical Agency's opinions which allows feedback on PFAS uses not specifically assessed. This is the final opportunity for industry and stakeholders to provide socio-economic evidence before the committee adopts its final opinion expected before the end of 2026. ECHA will formally submit its opinions to the European Commission. Based on its final opinions, the Commission will propose a restriction for discussion and vote in the REACH committee, composed of EU member states.