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European Union

  • Universal PFAS Restriction – In their first meetings of 2025, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) of ECHA continued evaluating the EU-wide proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Both committees reached provisional conclusions regarding fluorinated gas applications. Additionally, RAC issued provisional conclusions on PFAS use in transport and energy applications, while SEAC will continue deliberations on these sectors in June. The next phase will address PFAS applications in medical devices, lubricants, electronics, and semiconductors.
  • Commissioner Roswall on PFAS Clarification – During a strategic dialogue with the chemical industry on March 25, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall clarified the distinction between the ongoing revision of the REACH regulation and a separate “clarification” on PFAS, as previously promised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Roswall stated that while the timing of the universal PFAS restriction remains under consideration, the REACH revision is confirmed for December 2025. Meanwhile, PFAS modernization and clarification efforts are expected next year, though their scope and relationship to the broader restriction remain uncertain. The Commission has prioritized banning PFAS in consumer products rather than industrial applications.
  • Water Pollutants List – Negotiations on expanding the EU’s list of regulated water pollutants, ongoing since autumn 2022, remain stalled. Trilogues resumed in 2025 following months of deadlock due to the European Parliament’s refusal to negotiate under Hungary’s EU Council Presidency. The next trilogue, initially scheduled for April 7, has been postponed to May 20 at the Parliament’s request, while technical discussions continue. The proposed revision seeks to expand the list of regulated substances, including additional pesticides and PFAS, but disagreements persist—the Council favors more regulatory flexibility and exemptions, while the Parliament advocates for a broader list of monitored substances.
  • PFAS in Toys – On March 10, the Council published a document outlining negotiations on toy chemical regulations, revealing ongoing disputes with the European Parliament. Key points of contention include a potential ban on PFAS, bisphenols, and fragrances in toys. The Parliament supports an outright ban on PFAS and bisphenols in all toys and a prohibition on fragrances in toys intended for children under 36 months.

France

  • Court Ruling on Industrial Pollution Appeals – In a ruling issued on March 18, the Court of Cassation reaffirmed that residents and environmental organizations cannot appeal a judge’s refusal to impose measures addressing industrial pollution violations. This decision follows a legal challenge brought by Notre Affaire à Tous and resident collectives affected by PFAS discharges from a chemical company into the Rhône. The Court upheld the Lyon Court of Appeal’s January 2024 ruling, stating that under the Code de l’environnement, the right to appeal is limited to the public prosecutor and the party subject to the regulatory order. This effectively excludes affected residents and environmental organizations, prompting criticism from experts who argue the decision weakens environmental legal protections. A similar ruling was issued in January 2025.

Other Developments

  • French Academy of Sciences Report – A March 25 report from the French Academy of Sciences—an assembly of nearly 300 leading scientists—describes PFAS pollution as an unprecedentedly complex issue. The Academy calls for:
    • Banning industrial PFAS discharges into the environment within five years.
    • Developing new methods to eliminate PFAS contamination in affected areas.
    • Improving identification of unknown PFAS compounds, including their degradation (notably trifluoroacetic acid, or TFA) and behavior in ecosystems.
    • Launching an international public-private research initiative focused on PFAS substitution.
  • PFAS Groundwater Contamination in France – A study by the French Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM) concluded that buried sludge from a cookware manufacturer contributed to groundwater PFAS contamination in Rumilly, Haute-Savoie. Findings indicate that over 5,000 cubic meters of water in the municipality of Sales have been affected due to waste disposal practices, which had prior approval from public authorities. Notably, Rumilly is an area where PFAS levels exceed France’s regulatory threshold. In response, the prefect of Haute-Savoie has advised residents to avoid using private well water for household purposes. This revelation follows the adoption of France’s PFAS legislation, which exempted PFAS-containing cooking utensils from its list of banned products.
  • Strengthening of Water Pollution Standards – A March 21 statistical study by Selectra reported that 13 drinking water networks in France exceed a forthcoming regulatory threshold for PFAS contamination. The Haut-Rhin department reported the highest average PFAS concentration, at 0.272 µg/L—significantly above the 0.1 µg/L limit set to take effect in 2026 for a designated group of 20 PFAS compounds. By comparison, the national average PFAS concentration in French tap water in 2024 was 0.014 µg/L. As the upcoming regulation constitutes a management standard rather than a health standard, authorities will not restrict water distribution for exceeding limits but will instead implement action plans to restore water quality standards.