Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Conclusion
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
PFAS are highly persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals with the potential for long-term environmental and human harm, despite ongoing scientific uncertainties around the toxicity of different PFAS. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the persistence and potential harm of PFAS, stating that its approach is guided by the Environmental Principles Policy Statement and the Precautionary Principle. They assert that the PFAS Plan is designed to strengthen understanding and take targeted action to reduce PFAS in …
Read full response →
13
Conclusion
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
Without a broad, group-based restriction on PFAS, the Government risks a “whack-a-mole” approach. (Conclusion, Paragraph 56)
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee on the potential benefits of a group-based approach to PFAS regulation and notes that its current scientific and regulatory expertise already supports this. It is awaiting the final EU REACH universal PFAS restriction to inform future UK approaches.
Read full response →
15
Recommendation
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
The Government should consult on the establishment of an industry-funded mechanism to rapidly assess the properties and risks of newly developed PFAS before they are permitted for use, and invest in the development of 44 safer alternatives. This mechanism should prevent regrettable substitutions, incentivise safer alternatives and enable faster, more …
Read more
The Government should consult on the establishment of an industry-funded mechanism to rapidly assess the properties and risks of newly developed PFAS before they are permitted for use, and invest in the development of 44 safer alternatives. This mechanism should prevent regrettable substitutions, incentivise safer alternatives and enable faster, more effective regulatory decisions, with proposals published within 12 months of the publication of this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 58) Human exposure and risk management
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that reducing PFAS emissions and supporting safer alternatives are central to their plan, and existing UK REACH frameworks require businesses to understand hazardous properties, but they do not commit to consulting on a new industry-funded mechanism for rapid assessment within 12 months.
Read full response →
20
Conclusion
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
Although the Government has begun setting statutory limits for PFAS in drinking water, which is a welcome step, significant gaps remain in managing and limiting human exposure to PFAS through food and agricultural pathways. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of addressing PFAS exposure through food and agricultural pathways, stating that risk management options, including setting maximum levels, will be considered following a scientific review. The Food Standards Agency is also strengthening testing capabilities and gathering occurrence data.
Read full response →
25
Recommendation
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
The Government should accompany this with an assessment of the resources required for the Environment Agency to deliver their responsibilities outlined in the PFAS Plan and commit to providing the associated funding in its response. (Recommendation, Paragraph 85) Addressing pollution
Read more
The Government should accompany this with an assessment of the resources required for the Environment Agency to deliver their responsibilities outlined in the PFAS Plan and commit to providing the associated funding in its response. (Recommendation, Paragraph 85) Addressing pollution
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of appropriately resourcing the EA for PFAS responsibilities and will continue to assess their medium and long-term needs through established processes, without committing to provide associated funding in the response.
Read full response →
26
Conclusion
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
Lack of supply chain transparency fundamentally undermines the UK’s ability to manage PFAS at end-of-life, leaving councils, waste operators and regulators unable to prevent products with PFAS entering landfill, and leading to further pollution of waterways, soil and the wider environment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93)
Read more
Lack of supply chain transparency fundamentally undermines the UK’s ability to manage PFAS at end-of-life, leaving councils, waste operators and regulators unable to prevent products with PFAS entering landfill, and leading to further pollution of waterways, soil and the wider environment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of improving PFAS supply chain transparency, noting that existing regulatory frameworks (UK REACH, CLP) provide some mechanisms. They are monitoring international developments and will continue to engage with industry to explore future improvements, while acknowledging the challenges of mandatory reporting.
Read full response →
27
Recommendation
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
The Government should consult on mandatory PFAS disclosures across supply chains within six months, requiring manufacturers and importers to report the presence and purpose of PFAS in products placed on the UK market to support safe handling and disposal. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94) 46
Read more
The Government should consult on mandatory PFAS disclosures across supply chains within six months, requiring manufacturers and importers to report the presence and purpose of PFAS in products placed on the UK market to support safe handling and disposal. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94) 46
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the value of improving transparency and states existing frameworks provide mechanisms for information on hazardous substances, but does not commit to consulting on mandatory PFAS disclosures across supply chains within six months, citing challenges with global supply chains.
Read full response →
31
Recommendation
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
The Government should apply the polluter pays principle to prevent ongoing and historic PFAS contamination and consult by March 2027 on establishing a national PFAS Remediation Fund. The Government should: • explore the implications of an emissions levy for PFAS on the UK REACH candidate list, to deter ongoing environmental …
Read more
The Government should apply the polluter pays principle to prevent ongoing and historic PFAS contamination and consult by March 2027 on establishing a national PFAS Remediation Fund. The Government should: • explore the implications of an emissions levy for PFAS on the UK REACH candidate list, to deter ongoing environmental contamination and hold polluters responsible; • consider options for extending the polluter pays principle to products manufactured overseas and imported into the UK; • ensure that when the Government extends the polluter pays principle that UK manufacturers are not at a disadvantage to overseas manufacturers of products; • increase dedicated central government funding for local authorities to remediate where no responsible party can be identified; and • ensure that the Remediation Fund and associated enforcement are overseen by the Environment Agency, and ensure that the Environment Agency has the necessary resources and skills required to implement any monitoring and enforcement responsibilities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 108)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the recommendations on the polluter pays principle, levies, and a national PFAS Remediation Fund, agreeing they warrant serious consideration as part of a longer-term approach, but does not commit to consulting by March 2027 or establishing the fund.
Read full response →
36
Conclusion
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
PFAS contamination cannot be addressed without reliable destruction capacity. Current UK incineration capacity is insufficient to treat the increasing volume of PFAS containing waste diverted from landfill, and significant gaps remain in the availability, scalability, and verification of other destruction technologies. (Conclusion, Paragraph 123)
Read more
PFAS contamination cannot be addressed without reliable destruction capacity. Current UK incineration capacity is insufficient to treat the increasing volume of PFAS containing waste diverted from landfill, and significant gaps remain in the availability, scalability, and verification of other destruction technologies. (Conclusion, Paragraph 123)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government recognises the importance of understanding waste management implications and is keeping the issue under active review, noting that current capacity constraints exist. They anticipate an HSE opinion and potential transition periods will inform future understanding of capacity requirements.
Read full response →
37
Recommendation
9th Report - Addressing the risks from …
Acknowledged
The Government should assess the volume of PFAS containing waste expected from forthcoming restrictions and determine whether UK high- temperature incineration capacity is sufficient. The Government should write to the Committee with its findings and proposed actions within six months. (Recommendation, Paragraph 124)
Read more
The Government should assess the volume of PFAS containing waste expected from forthcoming restrictions and determine whether UK high- temperature incineration capacity is sufficient. The Government should write to the Committee with its findings and proposed actions within six months. (Recommendation, Paragraph 124)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the importance of understanding waste implications and is keeping the issue under active review, noting that HSE's forthcoming opinion on PFAS in firefighting foams will set out assessments and that any transition period for restrictions would allow for new treatment capacity.
Read full response →