Document 4vyYQZ327D1po50na3vr8L5Q1

| EUROPEAN COMMISSION I ve reo ours ficeche Exc Vice reserMeans Trnmernans Brussels. 1 December 2020 ear On behalf of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioners Thierry Breton, KadriSimsonandVirginijusSinkevicius. I would like to thankyouforyour letterof20 July2020 addretsostheemd. Inthemeantimeon, 14October2020,wehavelaunchedtheChemicalsStrategyfor Sustainability (COM(2020) 667 final).The aioftmhe srategy is 10betterprotect human healthandtheenvironmentaspart ofanambitiousapproach,totacklepollutionfromall Sourcesandmove towards a toxic-free environment. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) require special attention. considering the large numberofcasesof contaminationofsoiland waterinthe EUandglobally. The `Commissionisproposingtophaseoutthe useofPFAS inthe EU,apartfrom those applications whereitis proventobeessentialforsocietyandforwhichallemative substances do no exist yet. `The Commission has also published a separatestafworking document on PFAS (SWD (2020) 249 final), where we discuss regulatory and non-regulatory approaches for the different PFAS graondutheiprusses, including fluoropolymers. `We acknowledge the important role that luoropolymers have in the platinum group `metals (PGM)catalystsofcertainelectrolysersandfuelces.Toaddressthisissue, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability proposes financial supportforresearchand innovationprogrammes toremediateandsubstitutetheuseofPFAS. Furthermorwee, propose to identifyusescriticalforsocietyandallowthemonlyifsuitablealiematives are not available. E-mail: secretariai@ndrogenerope.eu GreennI-- As a next step following our chemical strategy, we expect that a restriction on PFAS will be discussed by the European Chemicals Agency in 2021/2022. Following the opinion of the ECHA's committees, the Commission will develop the legislative proposals for restricting PFAS under the REACH legislation. Throughout these steps, we will continue to consult with stakeholders and stakeholder groups to ensure that the different actions by the Commission are aligned with the broad overarching objectives set under the European Green Deal. We are eager to continue our dialogue and work with you on the realisation of the European Green Deal, to ensure that our ambitious objectives in the Hydrogen Strategy are going to be achieved. Yours sincerely, Sarah Nelen (OHFWURQLFDOO\ VLJQHG RQ 87& LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK DUWLFOH RI &RPPLVVLRQ 'HFLVLRQ & 2