PFAS in Seals – What We Know So Far

Customer Information on the Current Regulatory Status
As of July 2026

This information is intended for our customers who use FKM (fluoroelastomer) products and would like to know to what extent these are affected by the ongoing PFAS regulations. We want to provide you with transparency while clearly outlining what applies today—and what does not yet apply.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals that share a common characteristic: extremely stable fluorine-carbon bonds. This stability makes them valuable for technical applications, but at the same time, they hardly break down in the environment (“forever chemicals”).

The umbrella term “PFAS” includes, among other things:

• Short-chain PFAS (e.g., PFOS, PFOA) – already largely banned because they are toxic and bioaccumulative
• Fluoropolymers & fluoroelastomers (e.g., PTFE, FKM, FFKM) – high molecular weight, stable, currently still under evaluation

Technically speaking: yes. FKM (also known by the brand name Viton®) is a fluoroelastomer and falls under the chemical definition of PFAS. The same applies to PTFE, FFKM, FEP, and other fluoropolymers.

⚠️ Important distinction: Just because a material chemically belongs to the PFAS group does not mean it is currently banned or poses a health risk. Fluoroelastomers such as FKM are high-molecular-weight, chemically inert, and have a fundamentally different risk profile than the short-chain PFAS that have already been banned.

Here is a concise summary of the current status of EU regulation:

Milestone Status

• ECHA REACH Restriction Proposal: Updated proposal August 2025; three regulatory options (RO1–RO3) under discussion
• RAC Opinion (Risk Assessment) Adopted in March 2026
• SEAC Opinion (Socioeconomics) Draft in March 2026; public consultation runs until the end of 2026
• Final ECHA Assessment Expected by the end of 2026
• EU Commission decision: 2027 at the earliest
• PFAS ban for industrial seals ❌ Not yet in effect
• Firefighting foams (AFFF) ✅ Ban effective October 2026 (EU 2025/1988)
• Drinking water limits ✅ Legally binding since January 2026

❓ Do we need to replace our FKM O-rings immediately?
No. There is currently no legal ban on FKM seals in typical industrial applications. EU authorities are still in the process of evaluating the issue. A potential ban would take effect no earlier than 2027–2028—and even then, exemptions for critical industrial applications are possible.

❓ Are our FKM O-rings harmful to health?
There is no reliable evidence that cured FKM components are harmful to health under normal operating conditions. The risk posed by PFAS stems primarily from short-chain, soluble compounds—not from fully polymerized fluoroelastomers.

❓ Are there PFAS-free alternatives to FKM?
Yes, depending on the application. Possible alternatives include HNBR, EPDM, NBR, or specially developed PFAS-free compounds. Please note: These materials may not offer the same chemical resistance, temperature stability, or pressure resistance as FKM. We would be happy to advise you on material selection.

❓ What if my end product comes into contact with drinking water or food?
In this case, stricter requirements apply. Drinking water limits for PFAS have been legally binding since January 2026. We recommend a separate assessment in this case and will advise you on suitable, compliant materials.

Even though there is currently no immediate need for action, we recommend the following proactive measures:

• Assessment: Identify which of your products and applications 
  use FKM or other fluoropolymers.
• Set risk priorities: Applications in the food, drinking water, or medical sectors are of higher priority than standard industrial applications.
• Explore alternatives: Have experts evaluate early on whether and which PFAS-free materials are suitable for your application.
• Monitoring: Keep track of developments in EU regulations 

Do you have further questions? Contact us: sales@magnuseals.com 

We continuously monitor regulatory developments and proactively keep you informed 
about relevant changes.

Disclaimer
This information has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief based on the current state of affairs (July 2026). It is provided solely for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is not legally binding, as regulatory conditions are subject to change at any time. Dichtungstechnik GmbH | MagnuSeals® assumes no liability for decisions made based on this information.