Requirements by topic
| Topic | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighting foamBan | The GB derogation allowing use of PFOA-containing firefighting foam already installed in systems for Class B fires ran until 4 July 2025.Unlike the EU, GB did not extend this derogation to 3 December 2025 (per the current GB text). | July 4, 2025 | In force | Annex 1 Part A, PFOA entry, point 6 |
| Other named productsBan | Manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds are prohibited in Great Britain, subject to trace limits.Trace limits: 0.025 mg/kg PFHxS and salts; 1 mg/kg related compounds; a separate limit for concentrated firefighting foam mixtures. Added by the Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023. | November 16, 2023 | In force | Annex 1 Part A, PFHxS entry |
| Other named productsOther duty | S.I. 2025/296 amended the PFOA entry: PTFE micropowder exemption tied to treatment below 0.025 mg/kg, and perfluorooctyl bromide for pharmaceuticals allowed until 31 December 2026.The same S.I. added Dechlorane Plus and methoxychlor (not PFAS). | April 1, 2025 | Applies | S.I. 2025/296, reg. 3 |
The instruments
United Kingdom
GB POPs Regulation entries for PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS
- Citation
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants as assimilated law in Great Britain, Annex 1 Part A, as amended by S.I. 2023/1217 and S.I. 2025/296
- Enacted by
- EUR 2019/1021; S.I. 2023/1217; S.I. 2025/296
- Enacted or adopted
- June 20, 2019
- Last amended
- May 20, 2025
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2019/1021/annex/I
Exemptions
- Trace contaminant limits in each entry
- PFOA: perfluorooctyl bromide for pharmaceutical production until 31 December 2026
Pending rules and decisions
- HSE UK REACH Annex 15 restriction proposal: Restriction of PFAS in firefighting foams (Great Britain)
HSE's opinion and draft socio-economic opinion published July 9, 2026; consultation closed September 7, 2026; a final opinion and then a decision follow, which the UK PFAS Plan expects in 2027. (September 7, 2026)
HSE backs restricting the sale and use of firefighting foams with 1 mg/L or more of PFAS. Proposed transitions: portable extinguishers 6 months for sale and 5 years for use; training, testing and fire and rescue services 18 months; aviation, defence land sites and other uses 5 years; major hazard sites, offshore oil and gas and vessels 10 years. Source - PFAS Plan action 2.4: GB restriction of long-chain PFCAs under the POPs regime
Draft Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026 laid before Parliament on October 14, 2026 under the draft affirmative procedure. The Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considered it on October 27, 2026 and made no comment, the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments considered it on November 4, 2026 and did not draw it to the special attention of either House, and a Lords Grand Committee debate is provisionally scheduled for November 17, 2026. Each House must approve it before it is made; regulation 1 sets the coming-into-force date at December 16, 2026. (November 4, 2026)
Would list long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9 to C21), their salts and related compounds in Part A of Annex 1 to the GB POPs Regulation, with unintentional trace limits of 0.025 mg/kg for the acids and salts and 0.26 mg/kg for related compounds, and lower the PFOS trace limit to 0.025 mg/kg for PFOS and its salts and 1 mg/kg for PFOS-related compounds. Fluoropolymers get a 15 mg/kg limit for C15 to C21 PFCAs until December 16, 2030 and 0.1 mg/kg after. The same draft lists UV-328, Dechlorane Plus, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins and chlorpyrifos. It extends to England, Wales and Scotland. Source - PFAS Plan action 3.6: Statutory PFAS limit in England's public water supply regulations
Consultation planned for 2026 (August 17, 2026)
Defra and the Drinking Water Inspectorate to consult on a statutory PFAS limit for drinking water in England. Source
Timeline
- January 1, 2023 Update
Scotland introduced a statutory drinking water standard of 0.1 µg/l for the sum of 20 PFAS. Source - November 16, 2023 Amended
PFHxS was added to the GB POPs Regulation. Source - April 1, 2025 Amended
S.I. 2025/296 amending the GB PFOA entry came into force. Source - July 4, 2025 Took effect
The GB derogation for PFOA firefighting foam in installed systems ended. Source - August 18, 2025 Update
HSE opened consultation on a UK REACH restriction of PFAS in firefighting foams. Source - February 3, 2026 Update
The government published the UK PFAS Plan. Source - February 18, 2026 Update
HSE's firefighting foam consultation closed. Source - July 9, 2026 Update
HSE published its opinion backing a restriction of PFAS in firefighting foams at 1 mg/L, with transition periods of six months to ten years. Source - August 17, 2026 Update
The PFAS Plan action table was updated. Source - September 10, 2026 Update
Defra said it intends to add long-chain PFCAs to the GB POPs rules and tighten PFOS trace limits, with the change planned for December 2026. Source - October 14, 2026 Update
Defra laid the draft Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026 before Parliament. It would list long-chain PFCAs and tighten the PFOS trace limits from December 16, 2026, once both Houses approve it. Source - October 27, 2026 Update
The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considered the draft Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which would add long-chain PFCAs, and made no comment. A Lords Grand Committee debate is scheduled for November 17. Source - November 4, 2026 Update
The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments considered the draft Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and did not draw them to the special attention of either House. The Lords Grand Committee debate remains provisionally scheduled for November 17. Source