The New Year has arrived, and we’re taking a moment to reflect on the progress made in 2025, and to look ahead at what 2026 might have to offer.

There have been some big wins this year. A particularly important development was the EU’s update to its toy safety rules. The update bans some of the most hazardous chemicals in children’s toys, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and chemicals toxic to the respiratory system and specific organs. It also introduces group bans on bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka the ‘forever chemicals’.

Progress toward better protection against harmful chemicals was also seen in certain EU Member States. In February, France passed a new law banning PFAS in several products, including clothing and cosmetics. Denmark, having previously banned PFAS in firefighting foams and some food contact materials, took further action last year by banning 23 PFAS pesticides that can breakdown into TFA, which is a very persistent and very mobile small-chain PFAS. Read more about TFA’s widespread presence in the environment and concerns around its health impacts in our 2025 briefing.

While good news for Danish and French citizens, CHEM Trust continues to support an EU-wide PFAS restriction to protect people and nature across Europe. Read more about national PFAS bans in our blog here.

2025 was also an important year for holding those responsible for PFAS pollution accountable via legal action. In July, former executives of the Italian chemical company Miteni were found guilty of water and soil pollution and were sentenced to a total of 141 years in jail, in a huge victory for local grassroots organisations and affected citizens. Similar cases in the US have resulted in large payouts by chemical companies over PFAS pollution, and highlight the growing legal costs and consequences associated with PFAS production globally.

However, testing conducted in 2025 also highlighted the presence of harmful chemicals in products such as toiletries, shoes and clothing, including from online retailers such as Shein and Temu. The ongoing discovery of PFAS pollution hotspots across the UK and Europe made headlines in 2025, with a region in France facing tap water bans, and UK citizens living near the AGC Chemicals plant (a PFAS manufacturer) in Lancashire were advised not to eat locally grown fruit and vegetables. Affected authorities are questioning who will cover the cleanup costs, with some calling for the polluting companies to be held responsible..

So, what can we do going forward?

2026 presents significant opportunities to strengthen protections for people and wildlife from harmful chemicals, including a revision of the EU’s main chemical regulation, REACH, which must put people’s health front and centre.

In the UK, the government is expected to publish an action plan to tackle PFAS pollution soon. This plan must be bold and match the EU’s ambition to phase out PFAS as a group. We will also continue to call for the UK to align with the EU’s updated Toy Safety Regulation, to ensure that children in the UK are afforded the same level of protection against harmful chemicals as their European neighbours. If you live in the UK and are concerned about this issue, use our template to write to your MP asking for them to take action. Find the template here.

There are also steps that you can take in your day-to-day life to reduce your and your family’s risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Find out more on our Reduce Your Risk webpage.

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