Recommendation 31

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)