UK MPs launch inquiry on the impact of PFAS

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), a cross-party group of UK Members of Parliament (MPs), has launched an investigation into the environmental and health effects of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), popularly known as “forever chemicals.” The inquiry aims to determine whether there is a need for stricter, more targeted legislation on the use of such substances. In the coming months, the committee will hear the opinions of scientists, environmental experts, healthcare professionals, and industry representatives to assess the real threat posed by PFAS. Over 5000 variants of these chemical compounds are widely used in modern manufacturing, due to their durability and resistance properties. Yet the very qualities that make them so popular also make them dangerous for the environment and human health. Once released, PFAS do not break down or degrade, but linger and accumulate, contaminating soils, rivers, drinking water, and even the bodies of humans and animals. Moreover, some of them have been linked to severe health conditions, including weakened immune responses and increased risks of cancers.
According to EAC chair Toby Perkins MP, the UK’s regulations on PFAS are less effective than those of other countries, and the committee wants to better understand the risks associated with such substances and determine if the government should strengthen its approach. Although the UK has taken steps through its REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regime, critics argue the current legislation is piecemeal and inadequate. So far, only 36 PFAS variants are registered under the REACH scheme – with another 40 likely to be added in the future. However, with thousands of PFAS employed worldwide, experts fear that the UK’s safety net has too many holes. Compared to the EU’s stringent regulatory regime, the country appears oblivious to the risks posed by the PFAS compounds. There are even no legally binding limits on their levels in drinking water.
The EAC is accepting written submissions from the public, stakeholders, and organizations until Monday, 26 May 2025. After evaluating the submissions, it will plan oral evidence sessions, expert panels, and other meetings. Stephanie Metzger of the Royal Society of Chemistry welcomed the inquiry and urged EAC members “to seize this opportunity to provide the leadership on PFAS that has been sorely missing while heeding the expertise of the scientific community.”