BHETA is advising members to keep PFAS under review across products, packaging and supply chains, following the Government’s response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report on so-called “forever chemicals”.
The Committee had called for stronger action on PFAS, including restrictions on non-essential uses in consumer products such as cookware, food packaging and school uniforms, with a phased restriction beginning from 2027.
The Government has now responded and has not accepted the proposed 2027 ban. It has not announced an immediate blanket restriction on PFAS in consumer products. However, it has confirmed that reducing avoidable uses of PFAS remains an objective of the UK PFAS Plan, and that it is considering regulatory and non-regulatory options for some consumer products.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are used for properties such as water resistance, stain resistance, grease resistance, non-stick performance, durability and chemical resistance.
For BHETA members, PFAS may be relevant across product areas including non-stick cookware, bakeware, coated small electrical appliances, protective clothing, gloves, treated textiles, outdoor fabrics, sealants, coatings, waterproofing sprays, cleaning products, specialist tapes, membranes and some food-contact or grease-resistant packaging.
Not every product in these categories will contain PFAS. The issue is that PFAS may be present in coatings, finishes, surface treatments, components or packaging, and may not always be obvious from the core product description.
Preparation still needed
Steve Richardson, General Manager of BHETA, said: “The Government has rejected the proposed 2027 ban, which gives suppliers some breathing space. However, this should not be seen as the issue going away. PFAS remains a live regulatory and supply-chain issue. Members should understand where PFAS may appear in their products, components, coatings, finishes or packaging, and should start gathering the right information from suppliers.”
A key point in the Government response is the potential for closer UK alignment with EU chemicals regulation. The Government has indicated that UK REACH should work more efficiently and more closely with the EU, drawing from final EU regulatory decisions unless there are compelling reasons to diverge.
This matters because the EU is already considering a broad PFAS restriction. UK businesses selling into the EU or Northern Ireland, or supplying retailers with EU-wide compliance systems, may feel the impact of European requirements before any specific GB restriction is introduced.
Considerations for members
BHETA recommends that members begin reviewing where PFAS may appear in their product ranges, components, finishes and packaging.
Practical steps include identifying higher-risk product groups, asking suppliers whether PFAS are intentionally added, checking whether fluoropolymers are present, reviewing technical files and test reports, and checking claims such as “PFAS-free”, “PFOA-free”, “fluorine-free” or “no intentionally added PFAS”.
Members should note that “PFOA-free” does not necessarily mean “PFAS-free”. PFOA is only one substance within the wider PFAS family.
Steve added: “Retailers are likely to ask more questions in this area, and suppliers may increasingly need to provide declarations, testing evidence or confirmation of restricted substance controls.”
BHETA is monitoring developments and is in contact with Government and relevant stakeholders on behalf of members. The Association will continue to argue that any future regulation must be clear, evidence-based, proportionate and workable, with realistic transition periods, practical testing guidance and fair enforcement across the whole market.
Members with specific concerns, technical questions or examples of likely commercial impact are encouraged to contact BHETA.
Please contact the Member Services team at info@bheta.co.uk or +44 (0)121 237 1130.
