9th Report - Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

The government acknowledges the persistence and potential harm of PFAS, stating that its approach is guided by the Environmental Principles Policy Statement and the Precautionary Principle. They assert that the PFAS Plan is designed to strengthen understanding and take targeted action to reduce PFAS in the environment.

The government's response discusses its commitment to cooperating with the EU on shared environmental objectives and chemicals management, but it does not address the Committee's concern about the UK's PFAS Plan disproportionately focusing on monitoring rather than prevention or remediation.

The government shares the Committee’s ambition for an effective UK REACH framework and commits to reforming it by December 2028 to enable quicker and more efficient restrictions on substances like PFAS, drawing from EU regulatory decisions to strengthen oversight beyond voluntary action.

The government confirms that the Environmental Principles Policy Statement, including the Precautionary Principle, has been given due regard in the development of the PFAS Plan. They explain that the plan's actions are supported by consideration of the principle due to the plausible risk of serious pollution from PFAS emissions.

The government acknowledges the current UK REACH framework is slow to introduce new restrictions and commits to delivering reforms as quickly as possible, intending to draw more from EU regulatory decisions to accelerate GB decision-making and reduce divergence.

The government's response focuses on agreeing with the potential benefits of a group-based approach to PFAS regulation and how it draws on scientific expertise, but it does not address the recommendation to use EU-UK dialogue mechanisms to support alignment with EU REACH and avoid regulatory divergence.

The government shares the ambition and is already working to reform UK REACH for swifter PFAS restrictions. They commit to targeted engagement and public consultation, aiming to introduce reforms and necessary legislation by December 2028.

The government shares the ambition to reform UK REACH for faster restrictions, stating they will align with EU decisions, but commits to introducing reforms, including necessary legislation, by December 2028, which is later than the recommended March 2027.

The government's response outlines its involvement in international initiatives and general research efforts to understand and manage PFAS risks, but it does not address the specific recommendation to adopt an essential-use approach for regulating PFAS and restricting non-essential applications.

The government agrees action is needed but states current UK REACH reforms will take time, and they will consider regulatory and non-regulatory options, while monitoring EU developments before committing to specific restrictions or timelines.

The government's response focuses on improving transparency around PFAS in consumer products and supply chains to support informed choice, but it does not directly address the Committee's concern about regrettable substitutions where banned substances are replaced by chemically similar and potentially harmful alternatives.

The government states the Environment Agency is already implementing a robust PFAS monitoring strategy as part of the PFAS Plan, identifying risks, and guiding remediation efforts. They are conducting comprehensive studies on PFAS in landfill sites and wastewater to inform future regulation.

The government agrees with the committee on the potential benefits of a group-based approach to PFAS regulation and notes that its current scientific and regulatory expertise already supports this. It is awaiting the final EU REACH universal PFAS restriction to inform future UK approaches.

The government's response discusses the challenges of mandatory PFAS reporting and improving supply chain transparency, rather than addressing the recommendation to adopt a group-based approach for PFAS regulation and assess grouping options.

The government states that reducing PFAS emissions and supporting safer alternatives are central to their plan, and existing UK REACH frameworks require businesses to understand hazardous properties, but they do not commit to consulting on a new industry-funded mechanism for rapid assessment within 12 months.

The government's response focuses on the "Polluter Pays Principle" and funding for PFAS contamination remediation, including the Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme, but does not address the Committee's conclusion regarding the adverse health effects of PFAS, its bioaccumulation, and the need for precautionary action to protect public health.

The government's response focuses on exploring opportunities for targeted investment in PFAS remediation innovation from 2027/28, which does not address the Committee's recommendation for long-term research on health effects, a delivery plan for epidemiological studies, or enhanced health screening for exposed groups.

The government acknowledges the value of international practices in PFAS remediation and states that the Environment Agency is already developing technical guidance based on a growing evidence base and international best practice.

The government's response addresses the implications of PFAS restrictions on waste management infrastructure and firefighting foams, failing to engage with the recommendation to draw on international best practice, collaborate with research programmes, or publish a synthesis report on UK international engagement.

The government acknowledges the importance of addressing PFAS exposure through food and agricultural pathways, stating that risk management options, including setting maximum levels, will be considered following a scientific review. The Food Standards Agency is also strengthening testing capabilities and gathering occurrence data.

The government states that risk management options, including setting maximum PFAS levels in food, will be considered by the FSA after the Committee on Toxicity's review. The FSA is strengthening testing capabilities and gathering data.

The government states that industry is best placed to lead improvements in product information through voluntary disclosure, rather than introducing interim limits or mandatory labelling. They commit to exploring how transparency can be improved and supporting industry efforts but do not agree to the specific, time-bound actions requested.

The government states that the Environment Agency is already implementing a robust PFAS monitoring strategy, prioritising activity and using data to identify risks and guide regulatory action and remediation. They assert that the EA operates one of the world's most comprehensive PFAS environmental monitoring programmes.

The government states that the Environment Agency's existing PFAS monitoring programme already identifies risks, targets regulatory action, and supports remediation, and they are using robust scientific approaches to interpret the data for targeted interventions.

The government acknowledges the importance of appropriately resourcing the EA for PFAS responsibilities and will continue to assess their medium and long-term needs through established processes, without committing to provide associated funding in the response.

The government acknowledges the importance of improving PFAS supply chain transparency, noting that existing regulatory frameworks (UK REACH, CLP) provide some mechanisms. They are monitoring international developments and will continue to engage with industry to explore future improvements, while acknowledging the challenges of mandatory reporting.

The government acknowledges the value of improving transparency and states existing frameworks provide mechanisms for information on hazardous substances, but does not commit to consulting on mandatory PFAS disclosures across supply chains within six months, citing challenges with global supply chains.

The government recognises the importance of effective PFAS waste management and is conducting a review of landfill policies, considering POPs and PFAS, and gathering information for future interventions. They state any transition from landfill will be phased and evidence-led, but do not provide a timeline.

The government acknowledges the committee's focus on the Polluter Pays Principle and welcomes recommendations on funding and liability for PFAS, agreeing they warrant serious consideration for a longer-term approach. They are considering how existing support mechanisms like the Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme (announced for Autumn 2025) might help and will continue to explore opportunities to strengthen the principle's application.

The government acknowledges the importance of the Polluter Pays Principle and the committee's recommendations on PFAS remediation funding and liability, agreeing they warrant serious consideration for a longer-term approach. They are considering existing support mechanisms, including the Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme (announced for Autumn 2025), and will continue to explore strengthening the principle's application.

The government welcomes the recommendations on the polluter pays principle, levies, and a national PFAS Remediation Fund, agreeing they warrant serious consideration as part of a longer-term approach, but does not commit to consulting by March 2027 or establishing the fund.

The government acknowledges the need to address PFAS contamination and commits to exploring further investment opportunities with UKRI, aiming to allocate funding for remediation projects from 2027/28.

The government recognises the value of formal guidance for PFAS remediation and states the Environment Agency is developing technical guidance for regulators, industry, and landowners on investigation, assessment, and management of PFAS contamination.

The government acknowledges the importance of investment in PFAS remediation technologies and notes UKRI is already supporting projects. They commit to exploring further opportunities with UKRI to allocate funding for such projects starting from 2027/28.

The government recognizes the value of formal guidance for PFAS remediation and states the Environment Agency is developing technical guidance for regulators, industry, and landowners on investigation, assessment, and management of PFAS contamination, building on existing evidence and tools.

The government recognises the importance of understanding waste management implications and is keeping the issue under active review, noting that current capacity constraints exist. They anticipate an HSE opinion and potential transition periods will inform future understanding of capacity requirements.

The government recognizes the importance of understanding waste implications and is keeping the issue under active review, noting that HSE's forthcoming opinion on PFAS in firefighting foams will set out assessments and that any transition period for restrictions would allow for new treatment capacity.

The government acknowledges the role of R&D in non-incineration destruction and notes UKRI is already supporting projects. While 2026/27 funding is agreed, they commit to exploring further opportunities with UKRI to allocate funding for innovative PFAS destruction technologies from 2027/28, missing the requested six-month timeline for commitment.