On November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released a draft mapping of PFAS uses to support the upcoming public consultation on PFAS restrictions. The document provides a structured overview of PFAS applications across 14 key industrial, professional, and consumer sectors, including battery manufacturing, textiles, electronics, and PFAS production.
Key Highlights
The mapping classifies PFAS applications by Sector, Use Category, Sub-use, and Application. The Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) has initially agreed to evaluate 13 use areas, with assessments for Electronics & Semiconductors and PFAS Manufacturing expected to conclude by December 2025. The mapping table will be updated following SEAC’s plenary meeting in December to refine the use classifications.
Main Sectors Covered
· Consumer mixtures (cleaners, waxes, polishes)
· Cosmetics (PFAS-containing formulations)
· Metal plating and manufacturing
· Oil and mining (tracers, defoamers)
· Textiles, apparel, leather, and carpets (TULAC)
· Food contact materials and packaging
· Construction products (coatings, sealants)
· Fluorinated gas uses (refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting)
· Medical devices (implantable and non-implantable)
· Transport (aviation, automotive, marine)
· Energy (solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries)
· Electrical equipment (insulating gases, switchgear)
· Lubricants (industrial, professional, consumer)
· Electronics and semiconductors (to be determined)
· PFAS manufacturing (to be determined)
Next Steps
The final mapping document will incorporate revisions based on stakeholder feedback and will be published alongside the official consultation launch. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to comment on eight additional sectors identified in background materials but not included in SEAC’s current assessment.
Businesses are advised to begin preparing detailed submissions aligned with the specific PFAS use hierarchies outlined in the mapping.
