Document X7mpzaQX2DJENOv08DNLORR5K

Agenda Discussion Action Points 1. Tour de table (FPS Health and Environment) - Ad-Hoc open BCR on PFAS o Opportunity for stakeholders to present position on PFAS restriction o Large interest (over 20 interventions) o Mainly presence of fluoropolymer industry o Many different sectors represented o NGOs also present - Study on PFAS in household textiles will be finalized in the coming weeks - ECHA webinar of 05/04 on the restriction proposal o Possible to rewatch online o Q&A included, will also be shared in written the coming weeks - Ad-hoc BCR on PFAS for authorities o To discuss the current proposal and BE position with other BE authorities (BXL) - 2 campaigns organized on PFAS in Brussels (2021 and 2022) - Second campaign at 11 sites - Current or past PFAS emission sites - VL guidelines are exceeded at 3 sites in the soil - 5 sides for groundwater Press release: Des PFAS retrouvs sur 5 sites en Rgion bruxelloise (environment.brussels) PFAS gevonden op 5 sites in het Brussels Gewest (environment.brussels) Highest values at firefighting sites (VL) - Cabinet is looking at developing a position on the proposal - Still waiting on other colleagues for data to be shared, would like to have some more time - PFAS event 2024 o budget is cleared, nr participants o After summer location and program will be finalizing o Focus for federal: on prevention --> product alternatives and substitution o Sanitation and monitoring etc. will be the main topics o Food safety will also be discussed (WL - SPW) Textile, paper production and waste disposal Internal inventory, no publication yet Human Health risk analysis conducted Limit values --> consolidate this with others Interpret other concentrations (VL - VMM) - BBT for waste water is being developed o Will be finished before summer - Permit application 3M o Ultra-short PFAS emission levels o No info on characteristics --> like to have more clear view what they mean o ECHA restriction dossier perhaps has more info and to be checked whether in the scope - VITO study on analysis technique for ultra-short For WAC o Non target and suspect screening o TOPA on the precursors is also developed - New draft proposal water framework directive 4.4 ng/l for 24 PFAS o Important to make link between water framework, IED and REACH restriction Response by (FPS economy): - Annex B of the restriction for more info on hazards and risks, as well as on fully degradable PFAS that are out of the scope - Referring to Apache article --> permit request by 3M - On ultra-short PFAS example of TFA (persistent and toxic) - On the link between legislations: limit values might be different, but REACH restrictions is starting from precautionary principle (VL - OVAM): Link between REACH restriction and others ALARA principle is being used in the food legislation Not just use EFSA value everywhere but calculate to specific conditions of food and water etc. for exposure Important to keep in mind practicality (VL - OVAM) Two questions: - Did the BCR confidential session have similar interventions as non- confidential? - Is it possible to update the list of analytical methods of the Annex XV dossier? response: - on the BCR: Confidential so cannot share details, but indeed similar interventions o (FOD VVVL): confidential business info and finances are discussed during the confidential interventions - On analytical methods: can submit additional info on other methods in the public consultation o : Annex XV is a living document and can be adapted until Final Opinion is send to the Commission (WL - SPW) - Budget approved for monitoring - BCR: fluoropolymers industry indeed very concerned o Big problem if need to replace linings etc. o However during ECHA webinar Q&A session -->restriction does not apply to products put on the market before entering into force o : indeed no problem for products already in use, however for replacing these products alternatives would be needed Problem of stockpiling should be considered (FPS economy) - PFAS study (market study in BE and are there alternatives) o Call has not been launched yet o Hopefully launch this month o Expertise needed - BBBC: substitution projects, PFAS as priority o Already received questions on whether remediation techniques are in the scope o As remediation is not federal but regional this is not in the scope But shows interest for financing on these kinds of projects (VL) - PFAS in seafoam study finalized - Position of PFAS indeed being discussed - HBM adolescence study Zwijndrecht is being finalized - On Remediation techniques: Knowledge center at VL level for PFAS is being set up o Involves some stakeholders already, but could be enlarged : Next week info session on BBBC project call, can VL send short reply? : will discuss with to prepare some lines 2. Draft first scrolls through the document and explains content. BE comment Important to note that this comment mainly focusses on sharing new data, on the any other comments on positions are not yet developed (and would not be public useful without justification with data). consultation indicates info on study of PFAS in foam can be added. asks at which stage it could be interesting to add considerations on the transition periods and on the socio economic assessment, and whether we can talk about essential use? : next comment could be more orientated at socio-economic aspects, on essential use it must be noted that it is not yet a legally binding concept Further planning: additional comments on current BE comment until 28/04 COB. Then send to BCR for approval and submission by around 05/05. so hard to use it at this stage for this dossier. Perhaps at a later stage when negotiating a proposal with Commission there could be some discussions on this. : essential use indeed not implemented yet, however precautionary principle has been used in the development of this dossier and thus could be used in a next comment to make sure that SEAC takes this into account. In general on the dossier its relevant to note that some derogations could be discussed, especially the ones linking to other legislation that are derogated for unlimited time (for example biocides and plant protection products). Important to note that these legislation do not necessarily take into account environmental concerns and thus it might be necessary to indicate that these concerns should be dealt with (either within that legislation or via REACH). After submission of the first comment a second comment will most likely be developed for new data and potentially for inclusion of socio economic considerations. Public presents the information note of the dossier with the specific Consultation information requests. on SEAC asks what would be the deadline to submit potential input, specifically draft on the neighboring establishments question for SEVESO companies. opinion on : consultation runs until 15/05 so preferably few days before that date. the PFAS in Info note will be send to the members with request for input. AFFF restriction proposal Request for input for a potential BE comment by 08/05 COB