Summit EUROPE
13–14 March 2025
NH Carrefour de L'Europe | Brussels, Belgium
Finding solutions to the legal, regulatory, and compliance ambiguities of forever chemicals
INSIGHTS FROM:
LEADING ASSOCIATIONS
• European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)
• Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery and Housewares Industries (FEC)
• European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA)
• The Fluoropolymers Product Group (part of Plastics Europe)
Conference Highlights:
• Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD)
• European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC)
• ZVEI (the Electro and Digital Industry Association)
• Orgalim
INDUSTRY
• BASF
• Karl Storz
• KP Films
• Mérieux NutriSciences
ą The Latest Status of the Proposed Restriction Dossier: Anticipate legal and regulatory repercussions for key industries
ą Global Regulatory Insights: Compare PFAS regulation across the U.S., UK, and Australia
ą Litigation Case Studies and Risk Assessment: Examine key cases and prepare for an anticipated wave of new PFAS litigation across Europe
ą Innovative Substitution: Explore sustainable PFAS alternatives that balance performance and regulatory demands
ą Sector-Specific Lessons: Learn how key industries are preparing for a potential PFAS ban
ą Scientific Insights: Stay up to date on cutting-edge methods to analyse PFAS and tailor science-based regulatory responses
ą Derogation Pathways: Understand exemption criteria under ECHA’s proposal
C5’s upcoming PFAS Summit Europe (13–14 March 2025, in Brussels) comes at a pivotal moment as Europe confronts sweeping regulatory challenges and ambiguities surrounding PFAS chemicals, often termed “forever chemicals.”
With the EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposing an all-encompassing PFAS restriction under the REACH regulation and the seating of a new European Parliament, the EU's President has stressed the need for clarity and consistency in PFAS regulation and chemical safety policies.
Attend C5's PFAS Summit - Europe to make sense of this volatile and evolving environment. Our speakers will delve into ECHA’s proposal, highlighting key derogations, cross-industry preparedness, and lessons from international PFAS approaches. Industry leaders from the automotive, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries amongst others, will discuss how to adapt to restrictions. We will also examine scientific advancements in PFAS detection and risk assessment that underscore the need for nuanced regulatory strategies.
As PFAS restrictions challenge high-performance sectors, we will look at the balance between innovation and compliance, essential-use definitions, and the risks of “regrettable substitution.”
We will examine the growing risk of PFAS litigation through case studies of existing lawsuits and settlements. We will also focus on new threats under the EU’s new Products Liability directive, other class action mechanisms in Europe, and the rise of third-party funders
Finally, our program closes with a forward look at potential shifts in EU policy, regulatory impacts on supply chains, and how companies may respond to this evolving landscape.
Join us to strategize, explore alternatives, and prepare for the anticipated changes in the EU's PFAS policy, and new legal and regulatory frameworks.
This summit is your opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead, actively engage in the regulatory dialogue, and advocate for your industry’s specific needs.
We look forward to seeing you in Brussels this March!
EARN CLE CREDITS
Accreditation will be sought in those jurisdictions requested by the registrants which have continuing education requirements. This course is identified as nontransitional for the purposes of CLE accreditation.
ACI certifies this activity has been approved for CLE credit by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board.
ACI certifies this activity has been approved for CLE credit by the State Bar of California.
ACI has a dedicated team which processes requests for state approval. Please note that event accreditation varies by state and ACI will make every effort to process your request.
For more information on ACI’s CLE process, visit: www.AmericanConference.com/Accreditation/CLE
Distinguished Faculty
Martin Ahlhaus Partner Produkt Kanzlei
Bruno Ameduri
Director of Research, National Center for Scientific Research Charles Gerhardt Institute
Dr Frauke Averbeck Scientific Officer Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Federal Office for Chemicals, Germany
Ales Bartl Partner Keller & Heckman LLP
Olivier Brault President Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery and Housewares Industries (FEC)
Ruxandra Cana Partner Steptoe
Elisa Consoli REACH & Chemicals Manager Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD)
Jonathan Crozier Senior Manager - Chemicals Policy and Environmental Policy BASF
Advisory Board
Ales Bartl Partner Keller & Heckman LLP
Ruxandra Cana Partner Steptoe LLP
Thijs de Kort
Deputy Head of Bureau REACH RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment)
Preslava Dilkova Of Counsel Jones Day
Pierre Germain
Technical and Regulatory Affairs Manager European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC)
Martin Leonhard Government Affairs Professional Karl Storz
Caroline May Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
Claudio Mereu Partner Fieldfisher
Kirsten Metz
Senior Manager Chemicals and Environmental Policy | Vice-Chair of Orgalim Chemicals Task Force ZVEI (the Electro and Digital Industry Association)
Jean-Philippe Montfort Partner Mayer Brown International LLP
Mathias N. Müller
Sustainability & Environment, Health and Safety Officer European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA)
Cándido García Molyneux Of Counsel
Covington & Burling LLP
Ethan O'Brien
Group Director Sustainable Ops and Regulatory Affairs KP Films
Dr. Marc Ruttloff Partner Gleiss Lutz
Nathalie Smyth Partner Kennedys Law
Cindy Vandecasteele Senior Environmental Policy Manager
European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)
Andrea Vittadello Project Managers Coordinator Mérieux NutriSciences
Daniel Wennick Policy Director Orgalim
Preslava Dilkova Of Counsel Jones Day
Caroline May Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
Claudio Mereu Partner Fieldfisher
Cándido García Molyneux Of Counsel
Covington & Burling
Jean-Philippe Montfort Partner
Mayer Brown International LLP
DAY ONE
Thursday, 13 March 2025
7:30 Continental Networking Breakfast and Registration
8:45 Co-Chairs’ Welcome Remarks
9:00 PFAS and the EU’s Green Deal — Navigating Towards Climate Neutrality by 2025
Setting the stage for upcoming discussions, we will look at the role of PFAS regulations within the EU’s Green Deal framework and its ambitious climate neutrality targets. We will delve into the alignment of environmental and economic goals, the anticipated impact on industries, and the regulatory measures pushing for sustainable alternatives to PFAS by 2025.
The panel will also examine several regulatory measures already put into place to ensure carbon neutrality and ban PFAS chemicals, including the Plastics Packaging and Waste Regulation, Food Packaging Regulations, Essential Use, and Greenwashing directive.
9:45 The Future of the Proposed PFAS Restriction Dossier: New EU Policy Shifts and Regulatory Impacts
This panel will provide an update on the EU's evolving PFAS regulations, focusing on the latest status of ECHA's Proposed Restriction Dossier which seeks to restrict over 10,000 PFAS chemicals under REACH.
• Update on ECHA's latest REACH proposal, including the potential full ban, sector-specific derogations, and ongoing public consultations shaping future decisions
• Examining the EU’s efforts to align environmental and economic goals under the Green Deal
• Understanding how the post-election political landscape could shift PFAS regulation
• Emphasizing the need for science-based PFAS regulation while addressing socio-economic challenges of transitioning away from PFAS
10:30 Morning Networking Coffee Break
11:00
Seeking
and
Understanding
Derogations for PFAS, under ECHA’s Proposal and Member State Provisions
This panel will explore EU and national PFAS derogations under the proposed ban, covering criteria for exceptions. We will also explore ongoing European Commission discussions on this matter.
• Understanding what derogations for PFAS entail, looking at the specific criteria and circumstances under which derogations are granted at the EU and Member State levels
• Examining the scope and value of derogations granted by member states
• Analyzing how different sectors—such as electronics, life sciences, and construction products—will be affected by the possibility of not obtaining derogations for PFAS use
• Speculating on the potential changes to derogation policies as new scientific data emerges and as public perception of PFAS evolves
12:00 Networking Lunch
13:00 Fireside Chat with Dossier Submitter Representatives: Insights from Germany and The Netherlands
13:30 Cross-Industry Roundtable: Lessons from Key Sectors on PFAS Ban Preparedness
Join thought leaders from diverse industries—construction products, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals—to understand how they are managing the impact of ECHA’s PFAS ban proposal. We’ll review compliance concerns and the legal and regulatory challenges of finding viable alternatives.
• Examining cross-industry perspectives on how different sectors are being affected by PFAS restrictions and what are they doing to adapt:
» Pharmaceuticals/medical devices
» Automotive
» Construction products
» Semiconductors
» Consumer Products, including Food
» Packaging
• Exploring the impact of PFAS restrictions in industries like electronics and refrigeration, which have also been affected by the complexities of the FGAS regulation
14:30 Afternoon Break
15:00 Where the Chips Fall—Fluoropolymers in Focus: A Case Study on Industry Applications, Regulatory Frameworks, and Compliance Challenges
This panel will explore the crucial role of fluoropolymers in the electronics and semiconductors industries amidst the new PFAS ban proposal.
• Understanding how fluoropolymers are regulated across key global regions, focusing on their safety profile during the use phase
• Clarifying the differences between fluoropolymers and other PFAS substances
• Developing strategies for effectively communicating scientific data and the importance of fluoropolymers in critical industries in an evolving legal and regulatory framework
• Assessing the impact of major European producers' withdrawal from fluoropolymer production, including the 2025 pending closure of Bavaria’s only fluoropolymers recycling plant
16:00 The PFAS Puzzle: Innovation, Substitution, Essential Use, and the Road Ahead
This panel will explore the technical challenges of replacing PFAS in high-performance sectors such as the semiconductor and automotive industries. It will address the risks of “regrettable substitution” and how innovation is impacted under increasing regulatory pressure.
• Understanding the difficulties in replacing PFAS for high-performance uses, particularly in industries like automotive and electronics
• Defining what makes an alternative truly viable and determining who decides if a substitution is beneficial or harmful
• Understanding the essential use concept in determining when PFAS can be phased out, focusing on applications critical to health, safety, or the environment
• Discussing the importance of essential use guidelines for industries as they assess the necessity of PFAS in certain applications and explore alternatives
• Evaluating where industries stand on PFAS substitutes and how innovation might evolve over the next 10-20 years with potential tighter regulations
• With PFAS under scrutiny in both PPWR and REACH, how are packaging companies assessing PFAS alternatives, to prevent “regrettable substitution”?
16:45 Closing Remarks — Conference Adjourns
Join our panelists for an in-depth comparative analysis of PFAS regulation across key jurisdictions, including the U.S., UK, and Australia. We will explore lessons learned from the U.S., including recent legal developments, and UK’s distinct approach to PFAS.
• Exploring how these jurisdictions are addressing PFAS bans/restrictions
• Analyzing recent legal developments in the U.S. and what Europe can learn from these approaches
» How will the second Trump Administration address PFAS under new EPA leadership
• Understanding how the UK is charting its own course with PFAS regulations
• Discussing similarities and opportunities for global cooperation in PFAS regulation, and how different regions can learn from each other’s successes and challenges
• 3M’s
• DuPont’s Ongoing Challenges
This session will delve into the rapidly evolving PFAS litigation landscape across Europe with a focus on how plaintiffs' counsel and third-party litigation funders are increasingly targeting environmental claims.
With only a few cases historically brought forward, Europe is now seeing an uptick in legal actions as funders recognize the potential for significant payouts in environmental liability cases. There are also concerns as to how the EU’s new Products Liability directive may affect PFAS litigation and how existing class action mechanisms may be used.
Panelists will discuss proactive measures businesses can take to mitigate risk, especially as new obligations under the EU’s due diligence regulations require transparency around PFAS usage and environmental impact disclosures.
12:15
13:15 Scientific Insights into PFAS Detection, Risk, and Environmental Impact
Hear from our speakers on the latest scientific advancements in detecting and understanding PFAS, focusing on their varying hazard levels. Join us and appreciate the importance of having a nuanced approach as opposed to one-size-fits-all bans.
• Understanding the differences between various types of PFAS and why a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation and hazard assessment may not be effective
• Exploring the latest techniques for detecting and quantifying PFAS at ultra-low levels, and how these methods have evolved over the past two decades
14:00 Anticipating The Future Outlook of European PFAS Regulations and Upcoming Conclusions from ECHA’s Second Consultation
As the new EU Parliament debates the scope of PFAS restrictions, this session will explore the evolving political landscape and its impact on various affected industries. With potential bans ranging from selective restrictions to broader prohibitions, companies may face innovation challenges and economic downturn.
• Anticipating how new EU commissioners and shifting political priorities may drive PFAS regulations in the coming years
• What insights can we anticipate from ECHA’s second consultation, particularly regarding the scope and implications of a PFAS ban?
• Understanding how ideological shifts in the new EU Parliament may result in a more business friendly environment regarding PFAS
• Examining the long-term outlook for industries affected by PFAS regulations, including potential supply chain disruptions and innovation hurdles
• Understanding why certain companies may relocate to China and India due to regulatory uncertainty, and what is the impact on the European economy?
14:45 Co-Chairs' Closing Remarks and Recap of Day Two Conference Adjourns
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