European Union

New EU Commissioner’s statement on PFAS – Re-elected as the head of the European Commission for another five years on 18 July, Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to maintain the Green Deal while prioritising competitiveness and prosperity. She also committed to simplifying the REACH regulation and clarifying issues related to PFAS, though details on how the commission will tackle these concerns were not disclosed.

EU Member States

France – On 8 July, the French Ministry of Ecology launched a public consultation on a draft decree requiring incineration and coincineration facilities to measure PFAS emissions. This measure aims to ensure effective destruction of these “forever chemicals” and to enhance understanding of their thermal degradation. The measurements, covering 49 substances, are planned for implementation between mid-2025 and late 2027. The draft decree will be reviewed by the High Council for Technological Risk Prevention (CSPRT) on 16 September. It is noteworthy that this measure is being introduced despite the absence of national or European regulations on PFAS air concentrations.

Netherlands – Schiphol Airport settled with the public prosecution office for €30,000 to avoid a court case over its involvement in a firefighting foam spill containing PFOS (part of the PFAS family). The spill, which occurred due to a technical malfunction in a hangar in 2008, released thousands of litres of foam containing 134 kilogrammes of highly toxic PFOS

into the environment. The airport acknowledged it did not want the case to go to court but has declined to disclose the details of the settlement.

Belgium – Starting this autumn, the Flemish government will begin blood testing 400 adults to understand PFAS spread among the general population. Results are expected by the end of 2026, with detailed interpretations by autumn 2028. Meanwhile, outgoing Walloon Environment Minister Céline Tellier is advocating for an interfederal plan to address PFAS pollution in southern Belgium. She proposes involving various levels of government and ministries to eradicate these pollutants at their sources and clean up affected areas. The plan would also apply the “polluter pays” principle to assist victims.

Research

PFAS in tap water – Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of forever chemical, has been detected in 34 out of 36 European tap water samples from 11 EU countries, according to new research by PAN Europe. Among 55 analysed samples, including both tap and mineral water, only 6% were free of TFA. The lobbying association EurEau emphasised that the study highlights the urgent need to phase out all fluorinated chemicals that can degrade into TFA, including those used in pesticides and biocides.