PFAS Restriction: How it affects the Display Industry

The EU is committed to phasing out all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, if it can be proven that PFAS cannot be replaced in certain products and their use is essential for society, exemptions are possible. To help you understand how the PFAS restriction will affect the display industry, we have compiled some information for you here.

 

PFAS Restriction: Key topic of discussion for the DFF and its members  

The DFF (Global Network for Display Professionals) recommends to carefully check the use of PFAS in order to be able to act on exemptions in time. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large family of synthetic chemicals. They are used in many areas, among other things because of their heat-stable and water- and grease-repellent properties.

In particular, they are used in aerospace, defense, automotive, textile (leather and apparel), construction, household, electronics, firefighting, food processing and medical products.

They are also used in display technology: for example, liquid crystal mixtures for IPS and FFS displays contain PFAS to ensure proper functioning.

The planned restrictions have been an issue for the DFF since 2022. We have already discussed them with our display experts in two of our regular meetings. Among our members there are also several experts who have been intensively dealing with the topic of PFAS for a few years. Therefore, it is a special concern for us as a global technology association to inform the display industry worldwide about the topic.

It is our goal to also exchange views on the coming restrictions with external experts and to find the best solutions for our members and the display industry as a whole.

 

DFF Expert Talk: What is the current status of the PFAS restriction proposal?

 

Dr. Michael Schlipf, CEO FPS GmbH:

Dr. Michael Schlipf, CEO FPS GmbH, on the current status of the PFAS restriction proposal“In light of ECHA‘s projections that over 75,000 tons of PFAS were released into the environment in 2020, regulatory authorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have initiated a comprehensive restriction proposal for all PFAS substances. This proposal is coordinated by ECHA, the European Chemical Agency, and it is handled under REACH. According to the definition provided by ECHA, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are defined as chemical compounds that contain specific fluorine-containing segments. Therefore, this approach has implications for more than 14,000 substances.

However, it is important to note that the EU’s benchmark for REACH substance restriction is required to be risk-based. The Federal Government of Germany is of the opinion that the existing European legal framework does not cover the imposition of universal bans on specific classes of substances. Consequently, as many as 5,642 submissions, representing an outcry from the industry, were sent to ECHA during the “Public Consultation of the Restriction Proposal” in 2023. ECHA has been made aware of the pervasiveness of PFAS through the submissions received. Consequently, the number of affected sectors has been increased from thirteen to twenty-five.

Two teams within ECHA, RAC and SEAC are now evaluating the risk potential and socio-economic consequences of PFAS in those sectors. The objective is to formulate a revised proposal of the restriction proposal, balancing risk and benefit in a proportionate way by considering all concerns, and to return to a risk-based approach considering the special properties of the individual substances. To make this happen, the full lifecycle of PFAS is under consideration. Recent advancements in the field have demonstrated that emissions during fluoropolymer production, a subset of PFAS, can be substantially reduced. End-of-life processes such as incineration and chemical recycling are contributing to further minimization of emissions.

It has been determined that the development of a safe lifecycle of PFAS products is to be favored over a general ban of PFAS, with the aim of further enhancing the industry’s capacity to transform research into new technologies. The objective is twofold: firstly, to preserve the EU’s industry competitiveness; and secondly, to slow down or halt the relocation of high-technology industries out of Europe, which is already well advanced.”

(Update: May 2025)

 

Martin Saeckl, Manager Public Affairs Daikin Chemical Europe GmbH:

Martin Saeckl, Manager Public Affairs Daikin Chemical Europe GmbH“Europe’s industry is closely monitoring the progress of the PFAS restriction proposal currently under review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Due to the unprecedented number of substances being assessed in one go, and the extensive feedback from various sectors that rely on PFAS, the process has become lengthy and complex. 

The next formal step is the launch of a 60 day second public consultation which is expected in 2026. And that will focus on gathering input on the socioeconomic impact of a universal PFAS restriction. The final restriction opinion from ECHA is anticipated not earlier than 2027. 

In light of this, we see the first signals that investment decisions are being put on hold due to the uncertainty, which is negatively impacting innovation and EU competitiveness. Therefore, the industry is calling for predictability to better prepare for compliance. Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, has also emphasised the importance of providing clarity on this issue.”

(Update: March 2025)

 

 

 

Official EU information on the PFAS Restriction can be found at ECHA (European Chemicals Agency):

 

Further information on the PFAS Restriction

Please find here a collection of useful information on the PFAS topic. We update the link list regularly to keep you up to date.

 

DFF Press Coverage (in German)

 

German Sources of Information

 

Further Sources of Information

 

Any questions on the topic?

Please get in touch with Hartmut Heske, General Manager DFF.