On 19 September 2024, the European Commission adopted a restriction on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances. This restriction will start applying from 10 April 2026 onwards.
PFHxA may be used in various consumer products, including clothing, footwear and cosmetics. These substances are very persistent in the environment and can contaminate soil, drinking water and seas.
The restriction proposal was prepared by German authorities in December 2019. Our scientific committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis supported the proposal in their 2021 opinions.
The Commission has launched a call for evidence on animal testing in chemical safety assessments and its roadmap to phase it out.
With the roadmap, the Commission will follow up on the commitment it made in reply to a European citizens' initiative 'Save Cruelty-free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing'.
Have your say until 15 October 2024.