The UK Government has brought PFAS sharply into focus at the start of 2026. In January, the Chief Scientists’ Group of the Environment Agency (EA) published 'Developing Thresholds for Managing PFAS in the Water Environment', followed in February by Defra’s policy paper, 'PFAS Plan: Building a Safer Future Together.'
The EA report proposes a biota-based threshold for the sum of four widely studied PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA). The fact that only four substances are covered illustrates the continuing scientific and methodological challenges associated with deriving robust environmental thresholds across such a large and diverse chemical group, particularly given ongoing data gaps.
Defra’s PFAS Plan sets out a broader strategic ambition. However, much of its focus remains on strengthening the evidence base, an approach that has characterised UK policy for several years. The principal near-term regulatory measures include restrictions on PFAS in firefighting foams, controls on PFHxA in certain consumer applications, and updates to POPs legislation, in effect aligning the UK framework more closely with existing EU measures.
PFAS chemistries are diverse and highly functional. Their performance characteristics make them essential in many critical applications. Yet when released into the environment, most PFAS are persistent, many are mobile, and some are toxic. Effective risk management therefore requires addressing both ongoing emissions from manufacture and use, and legacy contamination, while safeguarding the societal functions that depend on these materials.
It has been twenty years since the first major PFAS regulation (the EU restriction on PFOS), but regulatory clarity remains a work in progress. The UK, like much of the world, still faces a long path toward resolving uncertainty, distinguishing essential from non-essential uses, ensuring sustainable use of critical PFAS, and phasing out those that pose unacceptable risks.
Martyn Shenton, Principal Regulatory Consultant and specialist in PFAS, will be speaking more about PFAS Regulations at ChemUK 2026. Catch Martyn's talk on Wednesday 20th at 10:20-10:40am on Stage 5.
