Document njL30Qvk7pZnmbbZ7z5V6682
O fluortubing
Date: 23/09/2021
Kernkade 14, 3542CH, Utrecht NL Postbus 40278, 3504 AB, Utrecht NL Tel (31) (0)30 241 69 93 Fax: (31) (0)30 241 58 26 KvK Utrecht Nr. 30196531 BTW: NL 812957258 ABN-AMRO Nr. 450044769 E-mail: =@fluortubing.com www.fluortubing .com
Kind attention:
Mr. Martijn Beekman - Netherlands Dr. Mandy Lokaj - Germany Mrs. Jenny Ivarsson - Sweden Mr. Toke Winther - Denmark Mr. Audun Heggelund - Norway Mr. Mark Blainey - ECHA
rivm.nl _@loaua.bund.de
@kemi.se @mst.dk
r).A.c)(fir.no @echa.europa.eu
Through: Pro-K Industrieverband Halbzeuge and Konsumprodukte aus Kunststoff e.V. (pro-K), Stadelstr. 10, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
The members of pro-K mainly focus on processing of Fluoropolymers, part manufacturing and its applications, the involvement of downstream users in PFAS process.
Subject: PFAS restriction proposal & request for exemption of FLUOROPOLYMERS
Reference: PFAS - Registry of restriction intentions until outcome (Rol) dated 15th July 2021
Dear Sir/Madam,
With regards to Registry of Intention (Rol) filed by 4 EU Member States (Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark) & Norway for the restriction of PFAS, we, a member of fluoropolymer downstream user industry, hereby, would like to share some salient facts related to the importance of fluoropolymers, critical functionalities, performance and benefits of its applications to society, while acknowledging concerns regarding PFAS emissions related to the use of fluoropolymers and their end of life.
Registry of Intention for PFAS restriction was announced by ECHA on 15th July 2021, to prepare a restriction proposal for PFAS. Fluoropolymers are also included in the scope. The restriction proposal is intended to be submitted to ECHA by 15th July 2022.
Fluoropolymers are a distinct subset of PFAS and are inherently safe, non-mobile, non-bio accumulative and non-toxic. Fluoropolymers are different from other PFAS as they do not share the toxicological and environmental profiles associated with PFAS of concern. Fluoropolymers have unique set of physicochemical properties, they meet OECD polymer of low concern criteria, and are considered to have insignificant environmental and human health impact.
Fluoropolymers ensure safety, reliability, durability and critical performance in numerous technologies, industrial processes and everyday applications that are important for human health, safety, and the environment. With a unique combination of functionalities, fluoropolymers are irreplaceable across many key sectors/applications. Alternatives to fluoropolymers, if exist, escalate safety risks, carbon footprint, technology regression, and do not match the advanced performance of fluoropolymers. Most importantly,
Algemene voorwaarden gedeponeerd K.v.K. Utrecht onder nr.: GV5590
restriction on fluoropolymers will make EU industry lose its technological superiority over other economies and could put Europe's climate and energy goals at risk. Overall, fluoropolymers contribute heavily to Europe's socioeconomic status and are critical for the betterment of the society.
The fluoropolymer downstream user industry acknowledges the concerns regarding PFAS emissions due to the use of fluoropolymers and end of life processes. We wish to assure the authorities and EU Member States that, we are implementing Best Available Technologies to ensure reduction in PFAS emissions in a systematic way and eventually eliminating them to achieve EU's sustainability goals. Parallelly, we are consciously working on recyclability and reusability to meet circular economy goal. Fluoropolymers play an important role in achieving EU Green Deal objectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) because of their vital use in Lithiumion batteries, Green hydrogen, Fuel Cell, Solar and Wind energy. No newage technologies are possible without the use of fluoropolymers. Restriction on the use of fluoropolymers would adversely impact implementation of these technologies crucial for planet's future as well as in all existing applications vital for the society. Considering the benefits of fluoropolymer applications to environment and society, low PFAS emissions and initiatives being taken by the processing industry to further minimize emissions and closing the loop by implementing circular economy wherever possible, we request for a complete exemption of fluoropolymers from the PFAS restriction proposal.
Fluoropolymers processed by us: PTFE Fine Powders
Service application industries: Green Hydrogen, Energy Flue Gas Cleaning, Food, Pharma, Energy, Transportation, Fuel transportation, Medical.
Sincerely yours,
Name and signature Jan van Dam Chief Engineer
Company name and address Fluortubing Kernkade 14 3542CH Utrecht The Netherlands
Algemene voorwaarden gedeponeerd K.v.K. Utrecht onder nr.: GV5590