In 2025, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) launched an inquiry into whether the UK government's plans to tackle PFAS pollution are adequate. Drawing on evidence from scientists, regulators, affected communities, industry and environmental organisations, including CHEM Trust, the Committee recently concluded its inquiry and produced a detailed set of recommendations, … [Read more...] about Head in the sand: The UK government’s response to Parliament’s PFAS inquiry
PFAS
EU experts decide on first chemicals to be classified as either endocrine disrupting or persistent and mobile
For the first time, EU regulatory experts on chemicals have recommended the classification of two chemicals using the new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and persistent chemicals, which were introduced in 2023. Following discussions in the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)’s expert Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) last week, new opinions were adopted by consensus, based … [Read more...] about EU experts decide on first chemicals to be classified as either endocrine disrupting or persistent and mobile
Europe’s PFAS crisis: the universal PFAS ban has to meet the challenge
PFAS pollution is widespread across Europe. According to the Forever Pollution Project, nearly 23,000 sites across the continent are already contaminated with PFAS, while a further 21,500 sites are suspected of pollution (read more about PFAS here). CHEM Trust responded to the recently concluded public consultation on the proposed universal PFAS restriction conducted by the … [Read more...] about Europe’s PFAS crisis: the universal PFAS ban has to meet the challenge
EU Medical Experts Call for Action on PFAS and Point to Safer Innovation in the Healthcare Sector
On World Cancer Day, February 4, EU medical professionals and PFAS experts met with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament to share their concerns about the impact of PFAS on health and to highlight PFAS-free innovation happening in the medical sector. The event, ‘From Health Protection to Economic Opportunity - PFAS-free Medical Innovation in the … [Read more...] about EU Medical Experts Call for Action on PFAS and Point to Safer Innovation in the Healthcare Sector
The UK PFAS Action Plan falls short in addressing the crisis we face
This week, the UK government published its long-awaited PFAS Action Plan, setting out how it intends to respond to the growing crisis posed by the 'forever chemicals'. While CHEM Trust welcomes the government’s acknowledgement that PFAS pose a serious risk to human health and the environment, the plan, in our view, does not yet deliver the decisive action needed to protect … [Read more...] about The UK PFAS Action Plan falls short in addressing the crisis we face
Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution is pervasive across Europe. According to the Forever Pollution Project, almost 23,000 European sites are already polluted with PFAS, and a further 21,500 sites are suspected to be contaminated. These ‘forever chemicals’ are in our food, drinking water, air, soil, rivers, oceans - and our bodies. In some areas, pollution … [Read more...] about Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
Is there a role for national action in restricting PFAS chemicals?
PFAS chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 10,000 chemicals also known as the ‘forever chemicals’ because they hardly degrade in the environment. Pollution from these chemicals is pervasive across Europe, with almost 23,000 sites already polluted with PFAS, and a further 21,500 sites suspected to be contaminated. PFAS are in are in our food, … [Read more...] about Is there a role for national action in restricting PFAS chemicals?
Patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists urge action on harmful chemicals in toys
Today, a group of 50 patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists sent a letter to the UK Government urging it to align with the EU’s update to its own toy safety regulation. The letter calls for the UK to match the science-led approach taken in the EU. The decision to update the EU's toy safety regulation was driven by an assessment showing that the … [Read more...] about Patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists urge action on harmful chemicals in toys
PFAS-free alternatives in Lithium-ion Batteries: perspectives from a scientific researcher
To coincide with the release of our updated FAQs on PFAS-free alternatives in green technologies, CHEM Trust sat down with Eleni Savvidou, a PhD researcher at Stockholm University. Eleni’s research focuses on understanding the occurrences of PFAS, how to analyse them, and what PFAS-free alternatives might look like in a range of consumer and technical applications, such … [Read more...] about PFAS-free alternatives in Lithium-ion Batteries: perspectives from a scientific researcher
Putting chemical pollution on the agenda at party conferences 2025
We were delighted this year to host events at both the Liberal Democrat and Labour party conferences, ensuring chemical pollution and the policy solutions needed to address it were on the agenda. First, we headed to Bournemouth for the Liberal Democrat party conference for our joint event with the Green Liberal Democrats, ‘Turning over a green leaf: how closer UK-EU … [Read more...] about Putting chemical pollution on the agenda at party conferences 2025
