The Health and Safety Executive has launched a consultation to restrict the use of all PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam in Great Britain. The body is responsible for UK REACH, established separately to the EU REACH regulation when the UK left the EU, to ensure the safe use of chemicals while protecting human health and the environment.
Ben Reynolds, Executive Director of IEEP UK, commented:
“We welcome the proposed restrictions on the use of PFAS in firefighting foam in Great Britain. As one of the largest sources of this forever chemical, this action will contribute towards the reduction of PFAS entering the environment and our drinking water. We hope this will lead to further restrictions on use of PFAS in other products. The proposal aligns with similar restrictions on the use of PFAS in firefighting foam in the EU though plans are afoot for a wider range of PFAS restrictions in the EU.”
In addition to progress in some member states, the EU is proposing a ‘universal’ approach to dealing with all PFAS and all uses. This proposal is working its way through the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) committees, and includes proposals to ban use in firefighting foam.
The recommendations in the HSE consultation include an outright ban on use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam, to avoid substitutions, and a transition period for uses in different settings. The consultation runs until 18 February 2026. For more on PFAS regulation and UK chemical policy read our recent briefing.