Following the publication of the UK PFAS Plan by DEFRA in February 2026, a UK Parliamentary Committee has issued recommendations calling for the phase-out of PFAS in certain consumer applications.

The Government’s PFAS Plan is largely focused on building the evidence base and aligning the UK with existing EU measures, including PFCA restrictions under the POPs Regulation and proposed controls on PFAS in firefighting foams. In contrast, the Parliamentary Committee has taken a more ambitious stance, proposing a ban on PFAS in non-essential consumer applications, such as school uniforms, cookware, and food packaging, from 2027.

A key point of interest is the Committee’s recommendation to regulate PFAS by sub-groups, rather than addressing substances individually or applying a blanket approach to all PFAS (meeting OECD definition). This raises important questions about how future regulation may evolve. In particular, will such an approach distinguish between PFAS based on their hazard profiles, for example, separating those that are persistent, mobile and toxic from those that are persistent but considered to pose lower risk?

Do these developments signal a potential shift in the UK’s regulatory direction, from evidence gathering towards more targeted restrictions?

Martyn will be discussing the UK PFAS approach in more detail at ChemUK on 20 May 2026.

As always, if you have any questions relating to PFAS regulations or restrictions in the EU or UK, contact us and we'll put you in direct contact with one of our expert PFAS regulatory consultants.