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UK Boosts PFAS Testing and Targets EU‑Aligned Rules by 2028

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  • Forever chemicals - or PFAs (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances) - pollute long-term and don't degrade easily (generic photo)
    Image: BBC
    Forever chemicals - or PFAs (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances) - pollute long-term and don't degrade easily (generic photo) (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Some clothing brands are trialling alternative chemicals to PFAS that produce the same waterproof properties
    Image: BBC
    Some clothing brands are trialling alternative chemicals to PFAS that produce the same waterproof properties (Tony Jolliffe/BBC News) Source Full size
  • France has banned the use of PFAS in all products where an alternative exists after significant public protest
    Image: BBC
    France has banned the use of PFAS in all products where an alternative exists after significant public protest (Hans Lucas_AFP/Getty Images) Source Full size

Expanded Testing Regime Covers Water, Wildlife, and Soil The UK government will increase water‑sample testing for PFAS by 50 % in Scotland and Wales, add systematic testing of coastal wildlife in England and analyze soils at five priority sites. A dedicated public website will publish results, and the overall program aims to meet EU‑aligned standards by December 2028 [1].

Health Risks Emphasized by WHO Classification The World Health Organization classifies perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as carcinogenic and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as possibly carcinogenic, linking exposure to thyroid, testicular and kidney cancers. Both substances are already banned in the UK, underscoring the urgency of broader monitoring [1].

Scientific Calls for Precautionary Regulation Dr Shubhi Sharma of Chem Trust argues that regulation should precede definitive proof of harm, while Dr Liz Chadwick stresses PFAS’s persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity as grounds for immediate bans. Their statements reflect a consensus among researchers for stronger policy action [1].

Industry Warns of Costly Transition to PFAS‑Free Products The Chemical Industries Association warns that alternatives are limited and replacement will be expensive. Debbie Reed of Equip Outdoor Technologies cites complex supply chains, and Jun Kamei of Amphico describes a seven‑year effort to eliminate PFAS from textiles, highlighting technical hurdles [1].

Government Positions PFAS as Pressing Chemical Challenge Environment Minister Emma Hardy described PFAS as “one of the most pressing chemical challenges of our time” and pledged decisive action to protect public health while supporting a shift to safer substitutes [1].

Sources

Timeline

2022 – Congress directs the FDA to conduct a three‑year study of PFAS in cosmetics, mandating an inventory of uses and risk assessment that later produces a multi‑year report; the directive sets the regulatory timeline for the agency’s work [3][4].

Dec 2025 – BBC Panorama measures PFAS at 9.8 ng/mL in participants’ blood, far above the 2 ng/mL risk threshold that Dr Sabine Donnai says “any PFAS above 2 ng/mL poses health risks,” and highlights pregnancy transfer to infants; the investigation recommends increasing dietary fibre and swapping PFAS‑containing cookware, while noting the European Commission is consulting on a ban of roughly 10,000 PFAS chemicals and the UK government is assessing similar restrictions [2].

Jan 8, 2026 – The FDA publishes a hundreds‑page report finding 51 distinct PFAS across 1,744 cosmetic formulas but declares it cannot determine overall safety because toxicological data are missing; Commissioner Marty Makary warns “significant uncertainty remains” and pledges additional research and coordination with the CDC and EPA, while stating the agency will act if emerging evidence shows a safety problem [3][4].

Feb 3, 2026 – The UK government expands PFAS testing by 50 % in Scotland and Wales, adds coastal wildlife and soil sampling at five priority sites, and launches a public website, aiming to align its regulations with EU rules by Dec 2028; Environment Minister Emma Hardy calls PFAS “one of the most pressing chemical challenges of our time,” Dr Shubhi Sharma urges precautionary bans before harm is proven, and industry leaders warn of costly technical hurdles to PFAS‑free production [1].

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