The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has fully added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to its list of substances of very high concern (ZZS). This action highlights the need for Dutch companies to significantly reduce PFAS use and emissions.
Companies that are unable to completely eliminate PFAS emissions must submit revised emissions reduction plans every five years, the RIVM deputy minister said.
This update moves previously identified PFAS from the potential ZZS (pZZS) list to the official ZZS list. More than 100 substances, including PFAS and their classifications, were officially added to the ZZS list on December 4.
The ZZS list, guided by Article 57 of the EU REACH regulations, other EU laws and the OSPAR Convention, includes substances potentially harmful to human health and ecosystems. RIVM maintains and updates this list every two years.
It is worth noting that the Netherlands is one of the first countries to propose a comprehensive ban on PFAS, which is now under review by the Scientific Committee of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
