Supported by environmentalists, the bill to restrict the manufacture and sale of products containing
“eternal pollutants”
(PFAS), debated this Thursday before the Assembly, meets with reluctance within the majority. The Minister of Industry Roland Lescure notably denounced an
“inoperative”
text at the national level, and regretted the lack of distinction between PFAS, which can cause proven harmful effects, and other compounds whose harmfulness has not yet been demonstrated by scientific studies.
According to him,
“where it takes 24 to 36 months to analyze 5,000 PFAS, it would have taken years for a national agency to do it”
, thus pointing out the possible over-regulation that this would imply on a European scale.
“You imagine the customs officers who check products that come from Germany, Poland, Italy or Spain or the Netherlands to ensure that the 5,000 PFAS that you have banned in textiles are not there. present?”
denounced the Minister Delegate in charge of Industry and Energy.
“But there you go, you bought the Tefal pan, you're happy,”
Roland Lescure then mocked in the hemicycle, referring to the French brand known for its kitchen utensils with a non-stick coating. The minister, who declares that he relies on the role of scientists and the work of independent agencies, denounced the possible ban on products
“which are probably not toxic”
.