9th Report - Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 852
23 April 2026
Government Response (AI assessment · 38 of 38 classified)
Accepted
11
Acknowledged
10
Deferred
7
Rejected
1
Government response
2nd Special Report - Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Government Response · published 6 Jul 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Voluntary action on PFAS and self-regulation by industry are not sufficient to ensure transparency, accountability...
Conclusion
Voluntary action on PFAS and self-regulation by industry are not sufficient to ensure transparency, accountability or reduce PFAS emissions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
Government Response Summary
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.
4
Recommendation
Accepted
The Government must act in line with the environmental principles, taking preventative and precautionary action...
Recommendation
The Government must act in line with the environmental principles, taking preventative and precautionary action to reduce cumulative PFAS exposure to both people and the environment. We expect the Government to set out in its response how its approach to …
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Government Response Summary
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.
5
Conclusion
Accepted
UK REACH, in its current lagging and slow-moving form, risks leaving the UK behind international...
Conclusion
UK REACH, in its current lagging and slow-moving form, risks leaving the UK behind international best practice and limits the Government’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging scientific evidence on PFAS. This increases the likelihood of further regulatory divergence between …
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Government Response Summary
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.
7
Recommendation
Accepted
UK REACH must be reformed to enable swifter restrictions on PFAS to ensure the UK...
Recommendation
UK REACH must be reformed to enable swifter restrictions on PFAS to ensure the UK can align with emerging evidence to act more quickly on substances of concern. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37)
Government Response Summary
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.
12
Conclusion
Accepted
Due to the impracticality of assessing thousands of PFAS one by one, and the risk...
Conclusion
Due to the impracticality of assessing thousands of PFAS one by one, and the risk that new substances emerge faster than they can be evaluated, the UK’s current approach leaves regulators struggling to keep pace with industry innovation. While the …
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Government Response Summary
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.
18
Conclusion
Accepted
The challenges of managing the risks of PFAS and associated health impacts are not issues...
Conclusion
The challenges of managing the risks of PFAS and associated health impacts are not issues faced by the UK alone. Many of the lessons relevant to the UK are already emerging from studies and regulatory processes across the European Union …
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Government Response Summary
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.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
Whilst the PFAS Plan sets out monitoring commitments, it lacks the specificity needed to inform...
Conclusion
Whilst the PFAS Plan sets out monitoring commitments, it lacks the specificity needed to inform and deliver action. Without clear requirements on what to monitor, the methods to use, and the thresholds for concern, and without adequate funding and laboratory …
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Government Response Summary
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.
24
Recommendation
Accepted
The Government should provide full detail, in its response, on how its PFAS monitoring strategy...
Recommendation
The Government should provide full detail, in its response, on how its PFAS monitoring strategy will support enforcement and remediation. This should include a clear explanation of how monitoring results will be used to identify risks, guide remediation activity, and …
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Government Response Summary
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.
33
Conclusion
Accepted
Industry urgently needs clear direction and Government approval on viable remediation methods so that contaminated...
Conclusion
Industry urgently needs clear direction and Government approval on viable remediation methods so that contaminated materials can be treated safely and at scale. (Conclusion, Paragraph 114)
Government Response Summary
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.
34
Recommendation
Accepted
The Government should support the development and deployment of scalable, cost-effective PFAS remediation technologies by...
Recommendation
The Government should support the development and deployment of scalable, cost-effective PFAS remediation technologies by directing investment through UK Research and Innovation into research, innovation and practical support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 115)
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Government Response Summary
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.
35
Recommendation
Accepted
The Government must publish formally approved guidance for PFAS remediation to provide businesses, local authorities...
Recommendation
The Government must publish formally approved guidance for PFAS remediation to provide businesses, local authorities and regulators with the certainty needed to deliver timely, safe and effective remediation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 116)
Government Response Summary
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.