Policymaking

This study, commissioned by DG Environment for the European Commission and produced by Wood and Ramboll.  The objective was to assess the use of PFASs and fluorine-free alternatives in textiles, upholstry, carpets, leather and apparel, including specific focus on volumes of use, technical function, and emissions.

Non-fluorine alternatives considered were hydrocarbons, silicones, dendrimers, polyurethane, nanomaterials, and alternative technologies.  The study makes recommendations for policy, including a REACH restriction on the placing on the market and use of these products that contain any PFAS, and a listing under the Stockholm Convention.  It is also recommended in the report that a restriction could be combined with voluntary industry measures and provisions in public procurement to encourage substitution of PFAS before mandatory legislation is introduced.

The road map lays out actions and provides guidance on how to fully integrate gender in national chemicals management. These steps are meant to give support and direction to actors engaged in national chemicals management, especially SAICM National Focal Points. The accompanying workbook helps to prioritize and plan your activities step by step. Additionally, SAICM Focal Points and other stakeholders might be at different stages of capacity development, and priority actions and objectives will differ depending on the individual national context - the workbook, therefore, allows you to develop your specific process of integrating gender.