INDUSTRY PETITION Subject: Urgent Call for Comprehensive PFAS Restrictions in the HVAC&R Sector: A Healthier, Competitive, Innovative EU Brussels, February 25, 2025 Att. of Risk Assessment Committee members of ECHA Att. of Socio-Economic Analysis Committee members of ECHA Att. of Member States Committee members of ECHA We, the undersigned businesses in the clean cooling and heating sector, urge you to swiftly enact strict and comprehensive restrictions on per- and poly uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) speci cally within the European HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) sector. Phasing out these harmful "forever chemicals" is not only vital for protecting public health and the environment but also presents a signi cant economic opportunity for the EU. PFAS-Free Innovation: A Competitive Advantage for the EU The HVAC&R sector is already demonstrating that a PFAS-free future is not only possible but also advantageous. Innovative alternatives to uorinated gases are readily available and being implemented across a range of applications, from heat pumps to data center cooling, from mobile air conditioning to industrial and commercial refrigeration and district heating. Natural refrigerants, such as R744 (CO2), R290 (Propane) and R717 (Ammonia) offer commercially viable and scalable PFAS-free alternatives to HFCs and HFOs, most of which are PFAS that degrade into tri uoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent and mobile PFAS contaminating drinking water and most food we eat.
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Global leadership in clean technology: by proactively embracing PFAS-free solutions, the EU can establish itself as a global leader in the clean technology market, attracting investment and boosting exports.
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Job creation and market growth: the transition to PFAS-free technologies will fuel innovation and create new jobs across various clean heating and cooling subsectors, including manufacturing, installation, research and development, and training and education. This growth can be further stimulated by creating harmonized standards for permitting pertaining to the installation of ammable refrigerants, easing the bureaucratic burden for SMEs from local authorities.
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Natural refrigerants based alternatives in the HVAC&R sector present the following bene ts for the EU: