- Date 2024-02-28
Date: 12 to 13 February 2024
Location:
Online (Zoom) or in Boulogne-Billancourt
Quai Alphonse Le Gallo 46
92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
Content:
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.
During this two-day event, a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academics, will come together to discuss various topics related to PFAS. These topics will cover 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.
The OECD has been actively involved in the risk management of PFAS for nearly two decades. In response to the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 2) 2009 Resolution II/5, the joint OECD/UNEP Global PFC Group was established in 2012. This group aims to promote the development and implementation of national and international stewardship programs and regulatory approaches to reduce emissions and the presence of harmful perfluorinated chemicals in products. The OECD has played a key role in coordinating the efforts of this group, facilitating the exchange of information on PFAS, and supporting the global transition towards safer alternatives.
The outputs of these activities can be found on the OECD PFAS Portal (https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/portal-perfluorinated-chemicals/)
The Global Forum on Environment dedicated to PFASs was held as a hybrid event, with both in-person participation at the OECD in Boulogne and online participation possible.
Further information (programme, background documents and presentations): https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/oecdglobalforumontheenvironmentdedicatedtoper-andpolyfluoroalkylsubstances.htm
Note:
Latest publications:
Series on Risk Management No. 81: PFASs and alternatives in cosmetics: report on commercial availability and current uses (February 2024)
Series on Risk Management No. 80: Draft Report on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Alternatives in Coatings, Paints and Varnishes (CPVs): Hazard Profile (Mono) (December 2023)
The reports can be found here: https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/series-on-risk-management-publications-by-number.htm