PFAS chemicals face new regulatory scrutiny in US, Sweden and EU

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved five new pesticides that environmental groups say should be classified as PFAS "forever chemicals," warning of potential health and ecological risks. The agency noted evidence suggesting the herbicide trifludimoxazin may be carcinogenic.

Sweden's Minister for the Environment and Climate, Romina Pourmokhtari, announced a ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, cosmetics and other consumer goods, citing the chemicals' persistence in homes, nature and the human body. The measure is interim pending a Europe‑wide restriction expected in a 2027 EU proposal.

In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority tightened its recommendations on the PFAS compound trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which was detected in 92 % of French water samples. France's ANSES is set to issue its own assessment by early 2027. Together, these actions highlight growing international concern over PFAS contamination and the push for stricter regulation.