This panel will explore REACH’s future direction and examine how European competitiveness, health, and sustainability objectives can be balanced through 2030 and beyond.

Topics will include a discussion around the future scope and rigour of REACH to address emerging risks, explore its ability to encompass the full life cycle of chemicals, and address possible regulatory gaps. The session will also ask what a process of simplification and regulatory efficiency might look like, including the use of digital tools, and discuss harmonisation with other EU regulations.

More broadly, discussion points will include the emergent fields of nanomaterials and innovation in future reviews of chemical policies, integration of safer and more sustainable frameworks, global regulatory compatibility, and the impact on businesses operating within Europe and globally.

PFAS currently play an essential role in a range of sectors critical to the green and digital transition. They extend through manufacturing, semiconductors and other electronics, water purification processes, textiles, food packaging, automotive and aerospace. They are, however, also problematic because they are persistent in the environment and pose potential adverse health risks.

This session will discuss the EU’s approach to regulating PFAS, including its efforts to restrict and phase out their use in non-essential applications and the development of safer alternatives. It will explore the challenges posed by regulatory fragmentation across member states, as well as other key topics including essential use criteria, lifecycle management and strategies for addressing PFAS contamination in the environment.

The session will also highlight ongoing research and innovation initiatives, remediation and cleanup strategies, and the importance of international cooperation and public awareness in managing PFAS risks.