EU PFAS Restriction 2025: ECHA Expands Sectors
ECHA’s August 2025 update added eight more sectors to the EU PFAS restriction proposal. A year on, RAC has adopted its final opinion and SEAC’s is due by the end of 2026. This briefing also covers Israel’s SI 994 air conditioner transition (ended 24 October 2025) and Uganda’s draft standard for electric pressure cookers (consultation closed 25 October 2025).
Table of Contents
Update, October 2026: both deadlines in this briefing have passed. Israel’s SI 994 transition period ended on 24 October 2025 and the UNBS consultation closed on 25 October 2025. On the EU PFAS file, ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopted its final opinion on 2 March 2026 and SEAC’s draft opinion went out for a 60-day consultation on 26 March 2026, which closed on 25 May 2026. SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026, when both opinions go to the European Commission.
Manufacturers face new compliance thresholds across Israel, Uganda, and the EU. These updates span air conditioning standards, pressure cooker safety, and expanded PFAS restrictions. Here's what to watch - and how to act.
🇮🇱 Israel SI 994 Air Conditioner Standard: Transition Deadline Oct 24, 2025
Original Regulation
The first amendment to the Mandatory Standard SI 994, Part 1 (September 2013), which pertains to air conditioners, was published and took effect on 25 August 2025, as announced in the Israel Official Gazette, Section of Government Notices, no. 12020.
Both the old and amended standards were in effect together from the date of implementation until 24 October 2025.
During that transition period, products could be tested under either the old standard or the newly notified amendment.
Status: Closed — the transition period ended on 24 October 2025. Air conditioners placed on the Israeli market are now assessed against the amended SI 994, Part 1 only.
📌 What This Means for Manufacturers
- The dual testing path has closed — only the amended standard has applied since 24 October 2025.
- Align product certification workflows early to avoid re-testing or approval delays.
- Update technical documentation and safety specifications to reflect amended requirements.
{{cta}}
🇺🇬 Uganda Draft Standard: Electric Pressure Cookers (UNBS) Consultation to Oct 25, 2025
Original Regulation
This Draft Uganda Standard outlines the requirements and testing methods for Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs) intended for household use.
It applies to EPCs that operate at a maximum voltage of 250 V using single-phase Alternating Current (AC) and can withstand a maximum pressure of 140 kPa.
The draft applies the terms and definitions of IEC 60335-1. Products that comply with Uganda standards are eligible to display the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Certification Mark.
Status: Consultation closed on 25 October 2025 — still a draft standard
📌 What This Means for Manufacturers
- The comment window closed on 25 October 2025 — design against the published standard, not this draft.
- Review product design for pressure, voltage, and safety compatibility with the proposed standard.
- Begin certification planning to ensure products can bear the UNBS mark for market access.
🇪🇺 EU PFAS Restriction Proposal (ECHA): Expanded Sectors Update (Aug 2025)
Original Regulation
On 20 August 2025, ECHA published an updated version of the universal PFAS restriction proposal prepared by the five submitting authorities — Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden — including a revised draft Background Document.
In this update, ECHA identified and assessed eight sectors that were not specifically mentioned in the initial proposal:
- Printing applications
- Sealing applications
- Machinery applications
- Other medical applications (e.g., packaging, excipients)
- Military applications
- Explosives
- Technical textiles
- Broader industrial uses (e.g. solvents, catalysts)
Status: Proposal stage — RAC adopted its final opinion on 2 March 2026; SEAC’s final opinion is expected by the end of 2026. No PFAS restriction is in force.
📌 What This Means for Manufacturers
- New sectors flagged — assess if your product lines fall under expanded PFAS scrutiny.
- Start substance tracking and alternatives research now — the committee opinions only reach the European Commission at the end of 2026, so the final restriction and its transition periods are still some way off.
- The consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion closed on 25 May 2026 — follow ECHA’s PFAS restriction page for the final opinion instead.
Ready to integrate these changes into your compliance workflow? At EcoComply, we track regulatory shifts in real time — and turn them into clear, actionable tasks across your product compliance dashboard.
Related reading: RoHS exemptions 2026–2027: critical deadlines for electronics manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about EU compliance
Do these substance rules affect your products?
Restricted substance lists change more often than most bills of materials get reviewed, and that gap is where non-compliance quietly builds up. We check your products against current limits and keep watching as the rules move. More than 100 manufacturers across the EU rely on us for this.
- Your bill of materials screened against current restrictions
- RoHS and REACH documentation kept current
- Alerted before a change affects your products
Discuss your product and compliance needs
Tell us about your product and target markets. Receive an initial requirements assessment and a personalised proposal based on our fixed pricing. No obligation.
