Proposed Ban on ‘Forever Chemicals’ Raises Concerns within EU Rail Industry

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The European railway industry is warning that a proposed ban on PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, could lead to a decline in train and railway equipment manufacturing in the EU.

Unife, the representative body for the industry, argues that PFAS, specifically fluoropolymers, are crucial for various products, including trains and signaling systems.

While the EU aims to transition travelers from airplanes to trains as part of its net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, challenges such as carriage shortages and incompatible national rail systems have hindered progress.

The industry claims that restricting PFAS in 2027 to a few critical areas for health and safety reasons would impede growth and hinder the green transition.

PFAS, which are present in numerous applications like cookware, textiles, batteries, and smartphones, do not easily break down and can accumulate in the environment and human organs. Studies have linked various PFAS variants to health issues, including slowed fetal and baby growth and kidney cancer.

Philippe Citroën, Director-General of Unife, expressed support for phasing out PFAS due to their properties like resistance to water, oil, temperature, and corrosion. However, he emphasized the need for the industry to have sufficient time to adapt and find alternatives.

European semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries have also warned that a PFAS ban would significantly impact their operations.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently conducting an independent scientific assessment of a near-complete ban on PFAS proposed by five countries. The European Commission recognizes the critical applications of PFAS in sectors such as digital technology and energy production and anticipates limited exemptions for certain uses.

The commission’s objective is to phase out PFAS in the EU, unless their essentiality for society can be proven.

However, pharmaceutical companies argue that PFAS are not only necessary in medicines but also in research equipment and manufacturing processes.

Efpia, the industry representative, has cautioned against an excessive ban and its potential ramifications on manufacturing in Europe.

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, CEO of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk and Efpia president, believes that the proposed ban would effectively halt all manufacturing in Europe within a few years.