The impact of Europe’s proposed PFAS ban on medical devices

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are everywhere – from cosmetics, to textiles, cookware, and packaging. They have also been used widely by medical device manufacturers for many years, with one well-known example, PTFE, used as a low-friction coating and polymer on a range of surgical equipment and implanted devices. But this could be set to change as the European Chemicals Agency reviews a proposal from member states to put a blanket ban on all PFAS in Europe.

In this whitepaper, we explore the background of the proposed PFAS regulation and its impact on the medical sector. The paper also discusses the suitability of silicone as a potential alternative to the types of PFAS used in the medical device industry.