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.
This event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academics to discuss various topics related to PFAS. These topics 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.
For more than 20 years the OECD has been addressing PFAS and supporting sharing of knowledge on PFAS and alternatives, and risk management approaches across countries. These efforts have been supported through multi-stakeholder input and engagement. Discover the key PFAS-related activities that the OECD is currently working on in the document below.
