- A group of MPs, led by the Environmental Audit Committee, is urging the government to ban perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals', from products including school uniforms, food packaging, and cookware.
- The committee's report recommends introducing restrictions on the non-essential use of PFAS and implementing a phased restriction from 2027, citing evidence linking these chemicals to increased risks of cancers, immune suppression, and fertility problems.
- PFAS are a family of over 10,000 man-made substances, highly resistant and used in various household and industrial products, which can accumulate in the environment and human bodies for decades.
- The report also calls for a stronger regulatory approach, requiring companies that pollute waterways and soil with PFAS to fund clean-up efforts, and suggests establishing a national remediation fund for affected communities.
- While the government published a PFAS action plan in February, the committee advocates for a precautionary approach to approving new PFAS, requiring companies to seek approval before introducing new substances, rather than waiting for proof of harm.
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