It seems the weekly news cycle is full of warnings regarding “forever chemicals”. From wild turkeys in Maine, USA to platypuses in New South Wales (Australia) it appears that these pervasive compounds, otherwise known as PFAS, are abundant across the globe and show up in far more situations than we would have ever thought imaginable.

While scientific understanding continues to evolve, there is a significant and growing body of evidence connecting certain PFAS to long-term health and environmental concerns. However, there is still no single comprehensive regulatory framework that governs all PFAS across major global markets. Against this backdrop, many businesses are now asking: How do we begin assessing our products for PFAS?

In this insight we will discuss how PFAS are currently managed, and why businesses should consider testing their products to stay ahead of the curve.

What are Forever Chemicals?

First coined in 2018 by public health expert Joseph Allen[1], the term “forever chemicals”, otherwise known as Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), are manufactured compounds that exist in many household items and other applications such as textiles, fire-fighting foam, and electroplating.

Due to their molecular structure, these chemicals cannot be broken down easily, hence the name “forever chemicals”. The C-F bonds in PFAS molecules are highly stable, which makes them suitable to use in a wide variety of applications. However, it also implies they are very persistent in the environment. Though they were initially detected in more populated areas, researchers have since discovered that PFAS can reach remote forests, the bottom of the ocean, and even the human bloodstream[2].

A notable example is the contamination discovered between 2023 and 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium, where residents living near industrial plants were found to have elevated PFAS levels in their blood. Cases like this have reinforced concerns about the persistence and spread of these substances, prompting calls for more coordinated action.[3]

Despite these concerns, PFAS remains a broad and diverse class of chemicals. Over 10,000 variants exist, and not all present the same level of risk. This complexity continues to make regulation challenging.

How are Forever Chemicals Currently Regulated?

There is currently no universal, all-encompassing PFAS regulation that applies across major markets. Instead, existing rules form a patchwork of restrictions that vary by region, sector, and substance type:

European Union PFAS Regulation

Several PFAS are regulated under frameworks such as the Regulation for Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, the Drinking Water Directive, and sector-specific rules. However, comprehensive group-wide controls are still under development.

United States PFAS Regulation

A combination of federal actions and state-level laws governs PFAS. While some states enforce strict limits, federal measures (such as the EPA’s PFAS enforcement policies and upcoming drinking-water standards) remain in transition.

These examples from the EU and US show that the landscape on PFAS regulation has become fragmented across the globe. Because of this, companies may underestimate PFAS as an ESG risk. Yet the momentum for stricter control is strong, and regulators are increasingly prioritising PFAS transparency, consumer safety, and environmental protection.

Upcoming Changes to PFAS Regulation

Major regulatory shifts are now on the horizon.

Under the EU’s Precautionary Principle, regulators can act to restrict substances even while scientific debates continue. A broad PFAS restriction proposal, submitted under REACH, is currently under review. If adopted, it could introduce group-wide bans on the use and production of PFAS, with only limited exceptions for essential applications.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is implementing its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, a coordinated approach to research, restriction, cleanup, monitoring, and enforcement. The roadmap includes new testing obligations, reporting requirements, and drinking-water limits.

Although neither of these proposals has yet become universally binding, the direction is clear.
Regulatory expectations for PFAS are tightening, and harmonization is increasing.

Therefore, companies who begin evaluating their supply chains and products now will be better prepared to respond to new requirements, avoid costly disruption, and maintain market access.

Our experts are ready to guide you through the PFAS testing process and deliver clear results that safeguard your products and long-term reputation. Reach out to our team to find out which products can be tested.

[1] J. G. Allen, ‘These toxic chemicals are everywhere – even in your body. And they won’t ever go away’, The Washington Post [online], 2 January 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/these-toxic-chemicals-are-everywhere-and-they-wont-ever-go-away/2018/01/02/82e7e48a-e4ee-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html [accessed 28 November 2025]

[2] Kuok, ‘H. D. T. Hidden Contaminants: The Presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Remote Regions’, 13 March 2025, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/12/3/88 [accessed 12 December 2025]

[3] Provincie Antwerpen, ‘Technisch-wetenschappelijk rapport – Bevolkingsonderzoek PFAS bij omwonenden van de 3M site in Zwijndrecht’, March 2025, https://www.deltaexpertise.nl/images/b/bc/Bevolkingsonderzoek_PFAS_Zwijndrecht_-_Wetenschapppelijk_rapport_qppgsp.pdf [accessed 13 December 2025]