Delivering Fluid Sealing Solutions Since 1972

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency)

ECHA and the Sealing Industry

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is the organisation driving implementation of the European Union’s pioneering chemicals legislation, working to ensure the safe use of chemicals across Europe.

Legislation under ECHA

  • REACH 
  • POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulation – regulates the restriction and prohibiting of POPs
  • Classification, Labelling & Packaging (CLP) Regulation
  • The Waste Framework Directive – addressing waste management and impact on the environment/human health
  • CAD (Chemical Agents Directive) and CMD (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive) – regulations working towards protection of the health of workers
  • The Drinking Water Directive (The European Positive List)
  • PIC (Prior Informed Consent) Regulation – ensuring the import and export of certain hazardous chemicals and places obligations on companies who wish to export these chemicals outside of Europe.

PFAS Restrictions

The ECHA critically affects the sealing primarily through its implementation of REACH regulation, particularly by proposing and evaluating restrictions on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The classification of high-performance sealing materials, specifically fluoropolymers (PTFE, FKM, and FFKM), as PFAS creates a significant industry impact.

Fluoropolymer Restrictions

Fluoropolymers are essential for seals and gaskets used in extreme conditions (high heat, aggressive chemicals, immense pressure) across critical sectors such as Aerospace & Defence, Energy, Chemical Processing, Automotive and Pharmaceuticals. Their unique properties are often hard to replicate by non-fluorinated materials. The Sealing industry is currently heavily engaged with ECHA to argue exemptions for fluoropolymers in specific sealing applications where no viable alternatives exist.

Sector Recognition and Potential Exemptions

The ECHA’s recognition of ‘Sealing Applications’ as a distinct sector is a significant step toward confirming that fluoropolymers are indispensable. This acknowledgment makes a full blanket ban less likely, creating an opportunity for time-restricted exemptions for essential seal uses. The final decision remains subject to ECHA’s ongoing scientific review.

Supply Chain and Compliance Challenges

ECHA’s REACH regulations requires seal manufacturers and importers to register and provide detailed safety fata on all chemical substances. The inclusion of substances on the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) forces companies to communicate this information to their customers, as well as actively seeking safer alternative materials. The potential restrictions are currently driving significant efforts to find non-PFAS alternatives that can match the material performance of fluoropolymers.

M Barnwell services wishes to assure its customers and partners that its commitment to product safety and regulatory compliance remains paramount. We confirm that, as of the ECHA’s announcement on 25th June 2025, materials supplied by us do not contain any of the 250 currently listed Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).

We are dedicated to upholding the highest environmental, health, and safety standards. Our rigorous material selection and quality control processes ensure full adherence to the stringent requirements of the REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, providing our customers with peace of mind regarding the safety and compliance of their products.

For further information, please visit the SVHCs  Candidate List, or, take a look at UK REACH homepage

E&OE. M Barnwell Services endeavours to ensure that all technical information is correct.