Important Regulatory Watch updates this month on policy action relevant towards Zero Pollution of Persistent, Mobile Substances:
New Commission study shows PFAS pollution could cost up to 1.7 trillion by 2050 in the EU
The Commission published on 29 January a study on the cost of PFAS pollution for society. The study estimated the health costs and soil remediation and water treatment costs related to PFAS pollution for the period 2024–2050 according to four scenarios: 1) business as usual for emissions; 2) full compliance with the Drinking Water Directive; 3) full compliance with Environmental Quality Standards; and 4) a total ban on PFAS production and use. The study estimated the costs of exposure to PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA to around 40 billion in 2024. In all four scenarios, remediation costs are expected to be very high (72.8 billion (Scenario 4) to 1.3 trillion (Scenario 3) up to 2050). The remediation costs to comply with the PFAS drinking water parameters are estimated at EUR 86 billion up to 2050 (and EUR 298 billion with TFA) and remediation costs to comply with the PFAS 25 EQS at 1,5 trillion up to 2050. The study finally shows that Scenario 4 (total ban on production and use of PFAS) eliminates the health costs from legacy PFAS in the 2040s and leads to a reduction in remediation costs of around 5.5 billion compared to the business-as-usual scenario.
ECHA and EFSA to investigate environmental fate and behaviour of TFA in water and soil
In October 2025, the Commission jointly tasked ECHA and EFSA to investigate TFA formation from PFAS active substances used in plant protection products and biocidal products. The Commission requested both agencies to prepare a list of approved active substances used in plant protection products and biocidal products for which there is evidence of TFA formation, of for which TFA formation is possible and to indicate factors that may influence the formation of TFA in soil or surface water systems. The Commission also asked the agencies to evaluate the suitability of OECD guidelines to assess TFA formation and also to explore alternative methods to reliably predict TFA concentrations in groundwater and surface water. ECHA and EFSA jointly accepted the Commission mandate in December 2025. The agencies are expected to publish their scientific results by 1 June 2027.
Separately, EFSA is currently conducting a review of the toxicological reference values for trifluoroacetic acid, which should be completed by 28 February 2026.
Norway and Sweden submitted new CLH dossiers for PMT/vPvM substances
In January 2025, Swedish and Norwegian authorities submitted dossiers for new or revised harmonised classification for two PMT and/or vPvM substances:
- Dimethylsilanediol (CAS no. 1066-42-8): new harmonised classification for PMT, vPvM, and reprotoxic 1B.
- Dichloro(dimethyl)silane (CAS no. 75-78-5): revised harmonised classification, adding three new hazard classifications, PMT, vPvM, and reprotoxic 1B.
Norway also submitted an intention to submit a dossier for harmonised classification of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulphonic acid (CAS no. 375-73-5) as PMT and vPvM substance. In total, seven CLH dossiers for PMT/vPvM substances have been submitted. In addition to the two mentioned above, Germany has submitted five dossiers: TFA and sodium trifluoroacetate, for which Committee’s opinions are under development; melamine, benzotriazole, and methyl-1H-benzotriazole, undergoing accordance check.
Upcoming consultation deadlines:
Deadline to contribute to the Call for evidence and reply to the public consultation for the evaluation of the Biocidal Products Regulation: 5 March 2026.
More information of upcoming actions related to persistent and mobile substances
For more information of regulations under the regulatory watch, as well as a Gantt Chart of the roll out, continuously updated spreadsheet and more information, please visit https://zeropm.eu/regulatory-watch/