A policy paper titled “PFAS Plan: building a safer future together” has been published by the UK government. This paper sets out a comprehensive and long-term strategy to manage the risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”.
The key takeaways of the plan can be summarised under the following headings:
- Core vision and approach
The government’s core vision is to minimise the impacts of harmful PFAS on public health and the environment, while supporting the transition to safer alternative substances. - Strategy built on three main pillars
• Understanding PFAS sources: Increasing monitoring activities to better identify where PFAS are used in society, how widespread they are in the environment, and the risks they pose.
• Addressing PFAS pathways: Using regulatory frameworks to prevent chemicals from entering and circulating in the environment.
• Reducing exposure: Managing human and environmental exposure to PFAS via pathways such as drinking water, food, and consumer products, and addressing legacy contamination. - Key regulatory actions and restrictions
It is stated that certain measures and reforms regarding PFAS uses will be implemented.
• Firefighting foams: The introduction of a restriction on the use of PFAS in firefighting foams is under consideration, with a final decision expected in 2027.
• UK REACH restrictions: By 2028, the UK chemical regulatory regime (UK REACH) will be reformed to enable faster and more effective action against pollution, with increased alignment with close trading partners such as the EU.
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): In addition to already prohibited PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS,under the Stockholm Convention, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) are planned to be banned by the end of 2026. - Public health and environmental protection
• Drinking water standards: A consultation will be launched in 2026 on introducing a statutory PFAS limit for public water supplies in England.
• Food safety: PFAS testing in food packaging and various food types will continue to be developed, and monitoring programmes will be expanded.
• Legacy PFAS contamination: Technical guidance will be prepared for regulators and industry on the identification and management of contaminated land. - Industrial transition and innovation
The government views the development of PFAS-free alternatives as an economic opportunity and encourages industry to transition to safer alternatives. In this context, guidance on public procurement will be updated to prioritise PFAS-free products. - Transparency and monitoring
• Internationalata sharing: By 2026, a dedicated PFAS web page and a “Chemical risks to human health” website will be launched to increase public awareness.
• Expanded monitoring: Each year, 2,400 freshwater samples in England and 500 in Scotland will be monitored for PFAS analysis. In addition, a GIS (Geographic Information System) prioritisation map to identify high-risk areas will be made available to public authorities. - Economic opportunity
The government views the transition away from PFAS not only as a necessity but also as a significant economic opportunity. According to an IQ Systemic Ltd report cited in the sources, a PFAS-free market in the EU could reach an estimated $14.9 billion annually by 2040.
This plan represents an initial step towards improved management of PFAS and preventing them from becoming a “forever problem”.
Click here to review the plan.
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