On March 18, 2019, author Cheryl Hogue reported in an article for Chemical and Engineering News that the Dutch government has proposed polymer-processing aids commonly known as GenX chemicals (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propionic acid, its salts and its acyl halides) to be candidates for regulation in the European Union as substances of very high concern (SVHC). The proposal says that exposure could adversely impact human health at intake levels as low as 21 ng/kg of body weight per day. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has previously defined a safe daily intake level of 80 ng/kg of body weight per day (FPF reported).
The Dutch proposal is now open for comment until April 29, 2019. Should the substances be recognized as SVHCs, they may be eventually phased out in the EU with only specific, authorized uses further permitted.
Read more
Cheryl Hogue (March 18, 2019). “Tight EU regulation of GenX proposed.” Chemical and Engineering News
European Chemicals Agency (March 13, 2019). “Substances of very high concern identification.”
Andrew Turley (March 28, 2019). “Dutch SVHC action against GenX is ‘first of kind’.” Chemical Watch
Julie Schneider (July 25, 2019). “Action on ‘GenX’: Another ‘forever chemical’ added to the EU list of substances of very high concern.” ChemTrust
