Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances

Question

We are committed to leading efforts to protect the marine environment and counter marine pollution. The UK Marine Strategy Programme of Measures sets out a comprehensive list of actions that HM Government is taking to reduce pollution in the marine environment. We are currently updating this aspect of the strategy, to outline the latest measures we are taking to continue to move us towards Good Environmental Status in our seas.

Action has already been taken to ban or highly restrict specific Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) both domestically and internationally, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Data collected for Defra shows that levels of PFOS are declining in harbour porpoise. However, PFAS represent a very diverse group of chemicals with a wide range of uses for which safer and more sustainable alternatives are not yet available - making this a very challenging issue to tackle.

Work is underway across government to help us assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources, and potential risks to inform future policy and regulatory approaches. In the UK REACH Work Programme for 2021-22, Defra asked the EA and HSE to examine the risks posed by PFAS and develop a 'Regulatory Management Options Analysis' (RMOA). The RMOA will be published in early 2023 and will make recommendations for risk management measures, building on the commitment in the 25 Year Environment Plan to tackle chemicals of concern. Defra and the Devolved Administrations will carefully consider the RMOA recommendations to inform future PFAS policy.

We have also recently launched a working group on PFAS under the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (CSF). This is aimed at fostering constructive dialogue on policy options, including on how HM Government can accelerate leadership by industry in moving away from PFAS.