Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals”, are the focus of growing European regulatory attention due to their persistence in the environment and associated health concerns. In a briefing published in July 2026, the European Parliamentary Research Service examines the proposed EU-wide restriction and the challenges of managing PFAS contamination.
The briefing highlights the difficulties and high costs of removing PFAS from contaminated soil and water. Existing treatment technologies are often inadequate, making remediation technically challenging. For demolition and decontamination professionals, this is particularly relevant when working on contaminated sites or handling materials that may contain these substances.
PFAS are used in numerous industrial applications, including machinery, lubricants, seals and membranes. Identifying their presence and managing potential contamination are therefore important considerations when planning works and dealing with waste.
The European Union is assessing a broad restriction under the REACH Regulation covering around 10,000 PFAS and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is expected to complete its scientific evaluation by the end of 2026, before the European Commission prepares its proposal.
The European Parliament will scrutinise the Commission’s draft restriction. As the briefing explains, the challenge is to protect human health and natural resources while taking account of the technical and economic difficulties businesses face in replacing PFAS where suitable alternatives are not yet available.
For the demolition and decontamination sector, future developments could have implications for contaminated-site remediation and the management of materials containing PFAS.
Want to learn more? Read the EDI Special Publication 2024 to learn more about PFAS and download the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Tackling ‘forever’ chemical pollution briefing.