On Monday 15 June, European Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, brought together a High Level Group of over 20 stakeholders to address the challenges linked to PFAS pollution, namely per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (‘forever chemicals’).
The meeting brought together stakeholders from all parts of society: NGOs, affected communities, researchers, water and waste treatment operators, PFAS producers and users, and users of PFAS alternatives.
The aim was to discuss all the issues across the entire value chain, from sources of pollution to substitution and decontamination solutions. The discussions focused in particular on identifying the main sources of PFAS emissions, their health and environmental impacts, monitoring and measurement tools, decontamination technologies, as well as industrial alternatives to PFAS.
A future regulatory framework in preparation. The Chemicals Industry Action Plan, adopted by the European Commission in July 2025, provides for a comprehensive approach aimed at reducing exposure to hazardous chemical substances.
One of the main strands of this strategy is the introduction of a universal restriction on PFAS at European level.
According to the envisaged timetable, the European Chemicals Agency is to deliver its final scientific assessment by the end of 2026 (see EUROPE 13882/33). On that basis, the Commission will propose a restriction aimed at reducing PFAS emissions as far as possible; a possible ban on PFAS in consumer products is also being considered; for industrial uses, temporary derogations could be granted only for applications deemed essential, in the absence of viable alternatives.
In her remarks, Jessika Roswall stressed the need for a coordinated response at European Union level: “PFAS pollution is an immense challenge that needs to be addressed collectively. We need to protect our environment, the health of current and future generations, but we also need to incentivise innovation and provide our businesses with regulatory clarity. We support the transition away from forever chemicals and will seek a ban on PFAS in consumer goods and industrial uses where adequate alternatives exist”.
Innovation and decontamination. Beyond regulation, the Commission is placing the emphasis on innovation and the search for alternative solutions. In March 2026, European innovation and substitution hubs were launched to accelerate the search for alternatives to PFAS, the development of safer materials and the placing on the market of replacement industrial solutions.
At the same time, the Commission stresses the need to deal with sites that are already contaminated. The ‘polluter pays’ principle remains central, but public funding could be mobilised for so-called ‘orphan’ sites, where no responsible party can be identified. A public-private initiative is also being prepared to support the development of PFAS detection and decontamination technologies.
Lastly, the Commission is preparing a European Union-wide monitoring system aimed at centralising existing data, identifying the areas most affected, tracking changes in contamination and recording best practice in decontamination. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)