PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a diverse group of chemicals that include PFCAs, PFOA, PFSAs, PFHxS, and thousands of others. These chemicals have been in commercial production since the 1950s and are now widely used in consumer and industrial applications. One characteristic of PFAS is their persistence in the environment, as they are extremely resistant to degradation. PFAS have emerged as contaminants of global concern because of their potential to accumulate in the human body and food chains. On 12-13 February 2024, a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academics came together to discuss various topics related to PFAS. These topics covered areas such as country risk management approaches, innovation challenges for finding safer alternatives, effective risk communication strategies, monitoring techniques, waste management, and approaches to managing contamination.

1. PFAS – WORK AT THE OECD
IDEAS FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES
Global Forum on the Environment - PFAS
Eeva LEINALA, OECD

2. The main objectives of the Programme are to:
▪ Assist OECD Member countries' efforts to protect human
health and the environment through improving chemical
safety and biosafety
▪ Make chemical control policies more transparent and
efficient and save resources for government and industry;
and
▪ Prevent unnecessary distortions in the trade of chemicals,
chemical products and products of modern biotechnology.
OECD ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
(EHS) PROGRAMME
38 Member countries, many partner countries and other stakeholders work together to develop
and co-ordinate activities on chemical safety and biosafety on an international basis. One of the
core aspects of the work relates to the Mutual Acceptance of Data.
http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/
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3. 3
PFAS @ the OECD
https://oe.cd/pfass
https://oe.cd/gfe-pfass

4. • Established in 2012 in response to ICCM
Resolution II/5;
• Set up to facilitate exchange of information on
PFAS, and to support a global transition towards
safer alternatives;
• Brings together experts from OECD member &
non-member countries in academia,
governments, industry, IGOs, NGOs.
Background to the OECD/UNEP Global PFC Group
http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/portal-perfluorinated-chemicals/
oe.cd/pfass
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5. February 2024
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Published in 2020
Hazard info on the alternatives - 2022
Food packaging (paper and paperboard)
Published in 2022
Hazard info on the alternatives - 2024
Coatings, paints and varnishes
Collect information on commercial availability & current
uses of PFAS & alternatives in different industry sectors
and on their hazard profile
Cosmetics

6. Reconciling Terminology of the Universe of PFAS:
Recommendations and Practical Guidance (2022)
Provides:
• a revised PFAS definition to comprehensively
reflect the universe of PFASs;
• practical guidance on how to use the PFAS
terminology;
Fact Cards of PFAS a publication that provides a set of
15 fact cards on major groups of PFAS (2021).
Fact Cards of PFAS - a publication that provides a set of 15
fact cards on major groups of PFAS (2021).

7. Synthesis Reports on Understanding Polymeric PFAS
and Their Life Cycle
Side-chain Fluorinated Polymers (Published)
Perfluoropolyethers (Finalisation)
Fluoropolymers (Starting)

8. OECD WebPortal on PFAS and Webinars
• Work on PFAS communicated via the webportal:
https://oe.cd/pfass
• Webinars organised 1 to 3 times per year
Risk Reduction Initiatives across Countries
• Regular collection of information on risk reduction
initiatives in countries and update of the WebPortal
Information sharing: PFAS WebPortal

9. IDEAS FOR FUTURE WORK AT OECD
(WE ARE BUILDING OUR NEXT 4
YEAR WORKPLAN ON PFAS)
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10. • Continued sharing of risk management approaches and
information on PFAS across countries
• Continued analysis of information on available and suitable
alternatives
– Also to support scale-up, support innovation, monitor transition
• Knowledge transfer of safer alternative technologies to PFAS
• Support emerging economies and developing countries in
transition to PFAS free production and consumption
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Potential topical areas of work at International Level –
PFAS Specific

11. • Information on FPs (uses, alternatives) and emissions of
PFAS and other fluorinated substances from FP
production
• Information contributing to RA of PFAS – grouping,
exposure, hazards; info used for prioritization of PFAS
• Information on biomonitoring aspects - compile in more
communicable format
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Potential topical areas of work at International Level –
PFAS Specific – Continued

12. • Support social scientific research on risk perception of,
and risk communication about the hazards, risks and
uncertainty on PFAS
• Collect, synthesize and include scientific evidence and
best practices in risk communication for informed
judgment and decision making on PFAS, on the OECD
web portal
• Further develop and disseminate standard methods for
measuring PFAS (various media, products)
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Potential topical areas of work at International Level –
PFAS Specific – Continued

13. • Support analytical method development for regulatory
purposes
• Setting of emission limit values
• Provide information about international PFAS regulations
for water and air (with a regulation focus instead of the
PFAS focus like the fact cards)
• Encourage partners support of field testing
• Collection of best practice examples for site management
• Standardization of methods for soil investigation 13

14. • Continue to develop regulatory risk assessment approaches
for hazard and exposure assessment including non-animal
methods
• Guidance on evaluation and substitution – other
considerations (environmental attributes and also benefits)
beyond safety and including life-cycle considerations
• Better dialogue between primary care and environmental
public health
• Consider level of particular technical international standards
• Develop and implement transparency standards 14
Potential work at OECD or at International Level –
Broader than PFAS

15. Your thoughts ...? Priorities?
Will develop 4-year work plan for OECD activities on PFAS
– through our committee process.
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