Today, NGO groups, including CHEM Trust, have launched a joint proposal outlining key asks to address the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS in the UK. Overall, the proposal highlights the need for the UK to align with the European Union’s (EU) comprehensive universal PFAS (uPFAS) restriction and explains how, whilst waiting for the uPFAS restriction to come into effect, the UK can take inspiration from the successful examples of Denmark and France in implementing sector-specific bans.
What are PFAS, and why are they a problem?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals often called “forever chemicals” because they last for generations in the environment. They’ve contaminated air, water, soil, wildlife, and even our blood. Over 10,000 high-risk PFAS contamination sites have been identified across England, which will cost billions to cleanup.
Worse yet, PFAS are linked to hormone disruption, immune system damage, liver disease, and even cancer in people. Despite this, the UK has fallen dangerously behind in regulating these toxic chemicals.
The EU is leading, the UK is lagging behind
The EU has already banned several PFAS and is moving toward a universal restriction, covering over 10,000 types of PFAS. However, the UK has not regulated a single PFAS since it left the EU. Unlike the EU, the UK government has also failed to implement binding thresholds for PFAS in drinking and surface water, food, food packaging, and biota.
Lessons from Denmark and France
Denmark and France are leading the way with PFAS regulations. Denmark has already banned PFAS in paper and card food packaging and firefighting foams, and has recently proposed a ban on PFAS in consumer uses such as textiles and footwear. Earlier in 2025, France passed a law banning the production, import, export, and sale of PFAS in cosmetics, clothing, footwear, and ski wax from 2026, with a broader ban on all textiles by 2030. Both countries are proving that sector-specific bans—backed by funding for research, public education, and cleanup—can drive real change while paving the way for an eventual universal ban.
Dr Shubhi Sharma of CHEM Trust said:
Too often, with hazardous chemicals, the world has ignored early warnings of harm and learnt lessons far too late. PFAS are widely acknowledged as a major threat to wildlife, communities, our health and industries like the farming and water sectors. The costs of tackling PFAS in the environment and addressing health impacts have a multi-billion-pound economic price tag. The government must not delay in regulating these forever chemicals to stop PFAS pollution becoming an ever-increasing threat -that is increasingly costly to tackle.
A PFAS-Free future is possible—and profitable
Many companies are already moving away from using PFAS. Over 100 companies have joined the “No PFAS Corporate Movement,” organised by the Swedish NGO Chemsec. Many more are replacing PFAS in cosmetics, fashion, medical devices, and even green technologies like hydrogen, solar panels and lithium batteries.
PFAS manufacturing is also becoming increasingly risky for companies. Recently, an Italian court sentenced executives at a chemical plant to jail terms of up to 17 years for polluting water used by hundreds of thousands of people with PFAS.
Investors are taking note, too. PFAS are a financial liability, with major polluters like Chemours and DuPont already paying billions in settlements. Going PFAS-free is no longer just ethical—it’s strategic.
What NGOs are asking for?
To protect the health of our people, planet, and economy, the NGOs are calling on the UK Government to:
- Align with EU chemical regulations, including a universal PFAS restriction.
- Immediately phase out PFAS in key sectors, such as firefighting foams, food packaging, textiles, and cosmetics.
- Adopt a long-term action plan for PFAS monitoring, clean-up, and polluter accountability—based on the “polluter pays” principle.
