On June 5, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) adopted its scientific opinion on a 2025 proposal by Germany for the harmonized classification and labelling of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). RAC recommended classifying TFA as toxic to reproduction (Category 1B), persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM).
What is TFA?
TFA is a member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group of chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their extreme persistence in the environment. TFA can form through the degradation of various fluorinated substances, including certain PFAS. Due to its persistence and high mobility in water, TFA has been detected in surface water, groundwater, rainwater and drinking water worldwide, and is considered a global threat.
Why is this relevant for food contact materials (FCMs)?
TFA is not generally considered a food contact chemical. However, several PFAS have been used in food contact applications to impart grease- and water-resistant properties. Some of these fluorinated substances can ultimately degrade to TFA in the environment.
What’s next in this regulatory process?
RAC opinions provide scientific advice under the EU’s Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation ((EC) No 1272/2008) but are not legally binding. This opinion will now be considered by the European Commission, which may amend the CLP Regulation to reflect the new classifications, and which, if adopted, would become legally binding across the EU following the applicable transition period.
RAC’s consideration of TFA is separate from the ongoing process within the EU to potentially restrict all PFAS (FPF reported). It is also separate from the new restriction on the use of PFAS in FCMs that comes into force in August 2026 under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (FPF reported).
References
Arp et al. (2024). “The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA).” Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c06189
ECHA RAC (June 5, 2026). “Minutes of the 77th Meeting of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC-77).” ECHA. (pdf)
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Germany (April, 2025). “Proposal for Harmonised Classification and Labelling Based on Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation), Annex VI, Part 2, International Chemical Identification: Trifluoroacetic Acid … %.” ECHA. (pdf)
