10/02/25 (Agence Europe) – “The revision of REACH must not add obstacles for industry, but make the regulation more applicable, particularly for SMEs”, said Peter Liese MEP and Environment and Health Coordinator for the European People’s Party (EPP) on Monday 10 February. The German MEP was delighted to see the REACH review appear under the heading ‘Simplification’ in the European Commission’s new work programme. Four EU Member States (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden) and Norway have decided in favour of a total ban on PFASs in January 2023. This application is currently being examined by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Part of the European Parliament (including the Greens) also supports this idea. According to Peter Liese, this would represent “an obstacle towards carbon neutrality”, since PFAS “are necessary for the production of hydrogen and for wind farms”. The European Commission will not propose anything before 2026 (see EUROPE 13563/15). (Original version in French by Florent Servia)