Thu, 24 April, 2025
The UK Government has called for evidence via a committee in relation to the use of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
The Committee is asking for written submissions addressing some or all of the questions referenced under their terms of reference. The Committee is asking for submissions by Monday 5.00pm on 26 May 2025, with the topics that they are asking to be addressed including:
- Understanding the threats and benefits from using Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- The current status of measures to address PFAS
- Is the current regulatory regime for PFAS fit for purpose?
- What lessons can the UK learn from other countries on how they monitor and treat PFAS?
This government request comes as industry faces an increasing business risk related to the use of PFAS products.
About PFAS
Despite the many benefits of PFAS products and their use over many decades, there have been growing concerns over their environmental impact, including their presence in human populations. The potential health hazards associated with some of these substances has led to them being banned under the Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Recent estimates suggest global clean-up costs to remove PFAS pollution could reach as much as £1.6 trillion over the next 20 years.
This is a situation that TWI Technology Fellow and PFAS subject matter expert Dr Alan Taylor has been monitoring for over 18 months, providing regular updates on this changing landscape including a webinar, two workshops and several conference presentations.
Join TWI’s PFAS Project
There is still time to join our Joint Industry Project on the subject of PFAS, designed to help sponsors to mitigate your business risk.
This project will provide a clear and accessible overview of this complex topic along with a review of the market and guidelines for identifying alternative materials and technologies specifically for coatings, surface treatments and seals.
Find Out More
You can find out more about the project, including how to join, see here:
PFAS - Assessing and addressing the business risk within a changing regulatory and ESG landscape - PROP311909
To find out more about PFAS, see here:
PFAS – managing the increasing business risk
To respond to the Government’s call for evidence, see here:
PFAS – Call for Evidence