PFAS Regulations: What You Need to Know

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals that are extremely stable and don’t readily break down in the natural environment, making them long-lived pollutants that affect local ecosystems and human health. They have commonly been referred to by parts of the media as “forever chemicals”.

Although a global issue, PFAS regulatory approaches vary significantly between regions. In recent years, attention in the UK has risen, although its framework remains less stringent than that of other countries, such as the United States and in some European nations, like France and Denmark.

In the UK and Europe, legislation has largely focused on PFAS in drinking water, with other areas currently under review. This complements the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which is a European law to prevent and control air pollutants from industrial facilities. Internationally, various regions continue to take a distinct approach, tackling PFAS from the source to its end point.

Puragen offers comprehensive insight into the unfolding developments that tackle PFAS on a global scale, providing further clarity and deadlines for the future of businesses.

What is PFAS?

PFAS are a large family of synthetic chemicals, with over 14,000 variants. They’re often used in domestic and industrial products due to their resistance to heat, water, grease and stains. This has led to them being widely used in products such as:

• Cosmetic and skincare products
• Frying pans and baking equipment
• Food packaging
• Water-resistant textiles
• Personal hygiene products
• Polishes
• Stain-resistant items
• Traditional Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)

However, PFAS degrade very slowly, leading to accumulation in water sources, which end up in ecosystems and eventually the human body. Exposure over a period of time has been linked to cancers, thyroid diseases, liver damage, and developmental issues, underlining the need to focus on the most harmful types of PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, which are already banned in many regions.

How is PFAS Being Regulated?

The persistence of PFAS and the concerns surrounding them have forced countries worldwide to seek ways to restrict and regulate these chemicals.

United Kingdom

UK REACH Programme

The UK REACH programme began post-Brexit, independently following the existing EU REACH principles. This initiative requires businesses to register chemical substances with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). While the structure is intended for good, it’s argued that UK REACH is falling behind other international schemes, with a limited number of PFAS currently under restriction.

NGOs Place Pressure for EU Alignment

Five major NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) are urging the UK to align closely with the EU’s approach to PFAS. These groups, including CHEM Trust, are calling for restrictions and bans on areas such as firefighting foams, textiles, food packaging and cosmetics in the near future.

European Union

EU Reach & PFAS Restriction

The REACH regulation came into effect in 2007, ensuring businesses register their chemical substances each year if they exceed 1 tonne. The EU is now moving toward a near-total ban on PFAS in manufacturing and products, with a final proposal occurring mid-2026, followed by a phased implementation plan. While the intention is to focus on eliminating PFAS, it’s expected that there will be exemptions for certain essential uses.

PFAS Monitoring Framework

The European Commission have declared a greater PFAS monitoring framework, focusing on identifying contamination hotspots, supporting substitutions through innovation hubs, and strengthening enforcement with transparent data. This scheme aims to expand upon the existing EU REACH programme.

POPs Regulations

The Persistent Organic Pollutants framework has reduced the trace limit allowance to 0.025 mg/kg for PFOS (or its salts) and 1 mg/kg for PFOS-related compounds. This framework includes two of the most problematic PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA, both of which are already banned under EU law.

Liability Against Businesses

A recent court ruling in Italy saw corporate leaders sentenced to a prison term of up to 17 years for PFAS-related contamination. This underscores the serious liability and financial issues businesses can face when not following compliance.

Drinking Water Regulations

Within both the EU and the UK, PFAS regulations have focused on end treatment, primarily on drinking water quality. EU member countries are required to implement PFAS limitations under the revised Drinking Water Directive, while the UK manages PFAS through guidance to water companies, rather than enforcing limits.

Regulating Firefighting Foams

Firefighting foams are a key focus in regulatory discussions; this is due to their PFAS use and high-contamination risk. The EU has adopted certain restrictions, with phased bans to be implemented and sector-specific exemptions.

United States

EPA’s Expanded PFAS Strategy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced 21 new actions surrounding PFAS. These include:

• Expanded PFAS testing under TSCA
• Revised reporting rules for manufacturers and importers
• Risk-based reviews of existing and new PFAS
• Addition of PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
• New effluent guidelines and disposal standards

With this, there is now greater scrutiny on corporate leaders, with the expectation to meet compliance standards higher than ever.

Drinking Water Standards

The EPA have also introduced a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs) for PFAS found in drinking water, which includes PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and HFPO-DA.

State-Level Bans

State regulations are expanding, layering complexity on a national and regional level for businesses. From 2025, bands and restrictions apply to examples such as:

• Personal care products (California, Colorado, Vermont)
• Food packaging (California, Minnesota, Vermont)
• Firefighting foams (Alaska, Rhode Island, Massachusetts)
• Cookware & textiles (Phased bans from 2026 to 2028)

Notable Mentions

Minnesota has granted PFAS exemptions on internal electronic components until 2032.

California has narrowed its PFAS ban to six product categories, with cookware delayed until 2030.

Australia

Australia has confirmed PFAS bans effective from July 2025 under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS). The use of medical devices, including their components and packaging, is exempt to help maintain essential healthcare for people.

How Businesses Can Comply with PFAS Regulations

The prevalence of PFAS in our everyday products and drinking water is turning the discussion towards management and eradication at a quicker pace. Therefore, businesses must be prepared for greater enforcement, penalties, audits and higher reporting rates. For many industrial sectors, activated carbon filtration is now a widely used process for removing PFAS, being recognised as a Best Available Technique (BAT).

Activated carbon solutions include:

Granular Activated Carbon: GAC formulations perform well in drinking water treatment, as well as many other liquid phase purification processes, and are available in either virgin or reactivated form.

Mobile Filters: These adaptable filtration units are designed to integrate into your existing processes. They are pre-filled with granular activated carbon and delivered as a simple ‘plug & play’ unit that can connect directly to your existing pipework. These units can accommodate a range of operational functions and are adjusted to meet size and formulation requirements to manage varying flow rates during demanding periods.

Search, Capture & Destroy

Three critical and simple stages effectively tackle PFAS, consisting of the following:

Search

• Sampling and testing to identify the specific PFAS molecules.
• Assist in a solution-driven approach to deliver the most effective treatment and GAC selection.

Capture

• For the abatement of PFAS chemicals, the best-in-class FiltraPure^® CH range of granular activated carbons is specifically engineered to optimise the effective capture of pollutants in water treatment applications.
• Specific grades available for drinking water.

Destroy

• The REACT-Sys+ process is an enhanced thermal reactivation and downstream solution to separate the PFAS from the activated carbon and destroy all PFAS molecules. Reactivation restores adsorptive properties and recycles the GAC media for reuse.
• An economical and cost-efficient approach to sustainable manufacturing practices and waste management solutions.

Rely on Puragen for Expert PFAS Filtration

At Puragen, our team of experts provide effective and sustainable solutions for controlling groups of PFAS substances. We always strive for sustainable practices, which is why we are proud to offer the ability to reactivate spent carbons in our Green Apple award-winning facility, along with our accredited solutions that support the capture and complete destruction of harmful PFAS chemicals for cleaner industrial processes.

For further guidance about activated carbon services and water treatment, please reach out to a member of our team today.