Recital 20

(20) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are used widely in the Union as well as in the rest of the world in a broad range of applications. Regarding PFAS tonnage, food-contact material and packaging is one of the most relevant sectors. All PFAS within the scope of this Regulation are either very persistent themselves or degrade into very persistent PFAS in the environment. When looking specifically at those human health endpoints that are considered to be of most concern following long-term exposure of humans, i.e. carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, including effects on or via lactation, and specific target organ toxicity, a large number of PFAS have a classification for at least one of those endpoints. Based on the physical properties of PFAS, particularly their persistence, together with the identified effects on health of some PFAS, PFAS represent an environmental and human health hazard.

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Source: EUR-Lex CELLAR · retrieved 2026-08-26 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.