The EU ban on PFAS materials in 2028 may challenge OLED producers, Korean makers ask for a 12 years grace period

The European Union is planning to introduce new restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 2028, which could pose problems for OLED producers.

OLED panels utilize PFAS materials, in display coatings and films. The Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA) said it formed a "Display PFAS Response Task Force" and submitted a second opinion letter to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), requesting a grace period of at least 12 years based on the absence of replacement materials and commercialization challenges.

PFAS is a large family of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in many industries and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s to resist heat, stains, grease, and water. PFAS molecules feature an incredibly strong chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms, and so they do not easily break down - they persist in the environment for decades, if not centuries, and can accumulate in the human body over time.