The PFAS policy landscape across Europe

PFAS are persistent chemicals that can accumulate in our bodies, affecting current and future generations’ health. They have been linked to cancers, thyroid disease, immune dysfunction, and hormone disruption.  

Around 23,000 sites across Europe are contaminated by “forever chemicals,” and 12.5 million Europeans live in communities with drinking water polluted by PFAS. Fragmented approaches cannot solve a borderless contamination crisis; ambitious and complementary approaches at the EU and national level are essential to respond to this contamination crisis and protect people and the environment in all member states.  

The 2023 EU-wide PFAS restriction proposal, presented by Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden and now under review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), must be preventative, and science-based, free from undue industry influence. Strengthening EU pesticide, biocide, and pharmaceutical legislation is also essential to tackle all PFAS sources. 

Access the report: The PFAS policy landscape across Europe and beyond: A comparative overview, which outlines national PFAS action plans and measures in drinking water, consumer products, and food products for the EU27, EEA/EFTA countries, Australia, and the USA.