News Details

On 23 April 2026, the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published its report on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The report calls for urgent regulatory action, including the phase-out of non-essential uses and accelerated reform of UK REACH. The Committee concluded that the current system is too slow to respond to emerging risks, which could see Great Britain fall behind the EU and limit its ability to introduce timely restrictions on PFAS.

Phase-Out of Non-Essential Uses and Group-Based Approach

The EAC recommends that PFAS use should be restricted to essential applications only, with non-essential uses, particularly in consumer products, targeted for phase-out. To support this approach, the Committee is calling on the government to commission the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to introduce restrictions on PFAS in non-essential consumer products (e.g. food packaging, cookware and school uniforms) under UK REACH without delay, with a phased approach beginning in 2027.

To address the scale of PFAS risks, the report also calls for a group-based approach to regulation, rather than assessing substances individually. It notes that a substance-by-substance approach is too slow and risks allowing the replacement of restricted substances with similar hazardous alternatives.

Accelerated UK REACH Reform

The report highlights the need to accelerate UK REACH reforms to enable faster regulatory action. While the government has committed to reforming UK REACH by December 2028 under the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), the Committee considers this timeline too slow and recommends bringing reforms forward to March 2027.

Key recommendations include reducing statutory timelines for assessments and decision-making, ensuring that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is adequately resourced, and making greater use of existing scientific and regulatory evidence, including from other jurisdictions. The report also emphasises the need for the UK to act more quickly in response to international developments.

Pre-Market Controls and Supply Chain Transparency

The EAC calls for a more precautionary approach to PFAS management, including mechanisms to assess new PFAS substances before they are placed on the market.

To improve transparency, the Committee recommends the mandatory disclosure of PFAS use across supply chains, as well as the development of standardised labelling requirements for consumer products. In the short term, the report calls for the introduction of interim limits for PFAS in products and consultation on disclosure requirements within six months.

Monitoring, Research and Timelines

The report highlights the need to strengthen the evidence base on PFAS, including expanded environmental and human population monitoring, and the development of a long-term research programme on health impacts.

Within 12 months, the government should publish both a research strategy and proposals for an industry-funded mechanism to assess newly developed PFAS and support the development of safer alternatives.

Polluter Pays Principle and Remediation

The Committee emphasises that those responsible for PFAS pollution should bear the cost of addressing it. It calls for the application of the polluter pays principle, including consultation on establishing a national remediation funding mechanism.

The report also recommends exploring financial measures to support clean-up efforts and prevent further environmental contamination, including approaches that may address imported products where appropriate.

Next Steps

The UK Government is expected to respond to the Committee’s recommendations, which are intended to inform future policy on PFAS management and the development of the UK regulatory framework.