Course in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive
Online 300-hour course in critical substances and PFAS in automotive. 6 modules covering Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH, Annex XVII), the Universal PFAS Restriction Proposal (ECHA, 2023) and IMDS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive — studying from Ireland
Ireland's regulated industries, including aviation, medical devices, energy, transport and food, require rigorous safety, reliability and compliance processes. Engineers in regulation, safety and homologation roles prepare certification evidence, perform reliability and risk analysis and manage conformity assessment. Key regulators such as the Health and Safety Authority, the Irish Aviation Authority and the Health Products Regulatory Authority set requirements that span multiple sectors. National standards are maintained by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, which represents Ireland within European and international standardisation.
Fees for Ireland: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies handle regulation and homologation, and does this qualification relate to them?
In Ireland, regulatory and safety matters involve bodies such as the Health and Safety Authority and the National Standards Authority of Ireland for standards work. Professional engineering status is typically pursued through Engineers Ireland. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so they do not grant registration, approval or homologation rights.
How do Irish employers in RAMS and safety-critical sectors regard private online qualifications?
Employers in safety-critical industries in Ireland usually require verifiable competence and recognised certifications for RAMS and homologation roles. A private online qualification may complement your experience, but whether it counts is entirely at the employer's discretion. There is no guarantee of recognition or of any role.
How much time does the programme take, and can I pay in instalments?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Ireland at your own pace. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible if your company agrees, and each student receives an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify critical substances present in vehicles and components.
Describe the chemistry, properties and uses of PFAS in automotive.
Interpret European and international regulation on PFAS.
Evaluate technical alternatives to replace PFAS in materials.
Select analytical methods for measuring PFAS.
Design a control plan for critical substances across the supply chain.
Develop a substitution roadmap for a component.
Who it's for
- Critical substances specialist who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Automotive materials engineer who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Regulatory chemist who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Product sustainability manager who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Analytical laboratory technician who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Chemical substitution consultant who wants to specialise in Critical Substances and PFAS in Automotive.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH, Annex XVII)
- Universal PFAS Restriction Proposal (ECHA, 2023)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (persistent organic pollutants)
- Stockholm Convention
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (fluorinated gases)
- GADSL
- EPA TSCA section 8(a)(7)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Concept of substances of very high concern1.2EU critical raw materials1.3Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on critical raw materials1.4Cobalt, lithium, nickel and rare earths1.5Due diligence on conflict minerals1.6Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries1.7Battery passport1.8Supply dependency and risk1.9Mandatory recycled content1.10Practical exercise: critical materials map of an EV
2.1OECD definition of PFAS2.2Fluoropolymers: PTFE, FKM and PVDF2.3Uses in seals, hoses and cables2.4PFAS in batteries and fuel cells2.5Fluorinated refrigerants in air conditioning2.6Coatings and surface treatments2.7Environmental persistence and mobility2.8Toxicology and exposure2.9PFOA, PFHxA and other current restrictions2.10Workshop: PFAS inventory of a subsystem
3.1ECHA 2023 Universal Restriction Proposal3.2Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POPs3.3PFHxA restriction under REACH3.4Regulation on fluorinated gases (EU) 2024/5733.5US regulation: TSCA and states3.6Exemptions and transitional periods3.7Public consultations and industry position3.8Declaration in IMDS and GADSL3.9Expected regulatory timeline3.10Practical exercise: impact analysis of the restriction
4.1Methodology for alternatives analysis4.2Fluorine-free elastomers for seals4.3Alternative cables and insulation4.4Natural refrigerants R744 and R2904.5PFAS-free non-stick coatings4.6Technical validation of substitutes4.7Regrettable substitution risk4.8Costs and re-engineering timelines4.9Collaboration with suppliers4.10Case study: substitution of an FKM seal
5.1Analytical methods for PFAS5.2Total organic fluorine5.3Detection limits and sampling5.4Supplier declarations5.5Data management across the supply chain5.6Emissions from manufacturing processes5.7Treatment of PFAS-contaminated water5.8ESG reporting and CSRD5.9Communication with customers5.10Case study: phase-out plan for a plant
6.1Product selection6.2Substance inventory6.3Regulatory assessment6.4Supply risk analysis6.5Identification of alternatives6.6Validation plan6.7Substitution roadmap6.8Communication plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There is no fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IMDS, ECHA CHEM, EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work covers real procedures for LC-MS/MS analysis of PFAS, total organic fluorine determination and evaluation of alternatives in materials. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify critical substances present in vehicles and components.
Describe the chemistry, properties and uses of PFAS in automotive.
Interpret European and international regulation on PFAS.
Evaluate technical alternatives to replace PFAS in materials.
Select analytical methods for measuring PFAS.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with IMDS, ECHA CHEM, EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma of its own, awarded upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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