UK Rejects 2027 PFAS Curbs, Targets Legislation by December 2028

1 articles · Updated · The Chemical Engineer · Jul 15

Britain ruled out immediate hard restrictions on PFAS in manufacturing and trade, choosing tighter monitoring and a gradual phase-out instead of the tougher limits lawmakers sought.
The decision answers an Environmental Audit Committee report that issued 20 recommendations and urged stricter controls on non-essential PFAS uses as early as 2027, saying current plans were short on decisive action.
Government policy still centers on its PFAS plan for non-essential products such as cookware and school uniforms, while officials argue exemptions are difficult because sectors including PPE and medical equipment still rely on the chemicals.
The UK has never imposed a full PFAS ban, though it sets a 0.1 μg/L drinking-water guideline for 48 named PFAS and says it will align with EU REACH unless there are compelling reasons to diverge.
That leaves the UK trailing a tougher European direction, with the EU having restricted PFOS in 2006 and PFAS in firefighting foam last year, while London says reforms and legislation should arrive by December 2028.