MPs Demand 2027 Ban on 'Forever Chemicals' in UK Cookware, Uniforms
Members of Parliament are calling for a complete prohibition on 'forever chemicals', known as PFAS, within everyday products unless manufacturers can conclusively demonstrate their absolute necessity or the absence of viable alternatives. This recommendation, issued by the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee, has garnered support from academics and environmental organisations.
PFAS, a group of over 15,000 man-made substances, possess unique properties that allow them to resist oil, water, and high temperatures. These characteristics have led to their widespread application in diverse products, from medical equipment to raincoats. However, these same properties mean the chemicals do not readily degrade in the environment, leading to accumulation across ecosystems.
Health and Environmental Impact
Toby Perkins, chair of the Environment Audit Committee, highlighted the ubiquitous presence of PFAS in human bodies. He stated, “evidence we heard throughout our inquiry suggests that our dependence on PFAS has come with a cost to the environment, and perhaps to human health too.” While research on all PFAS compounds is not extensive, some are recognised as toxic and carcinogenic, linked to an elevated risk of kidney cancer and increased cholesterol levels.
The Committee’s report criticised the government’s recently published PFAS plan, arguing it “disproportionately focuses on expanding PFAS monitoring rather than preventing or remediating contamination.” It recommends that by 2027, the government should phase out all non-essential applications where PFAS can be removed or replaced without compromising health and safety. This would impact products such as cookware, food packaging, and common clothing items, including school uniforms, where PFAS are often incorporated for stain resistance.
Industry Resistance and International Alignment
Dr Dave Megson, a reader in chemistry at Manchester Met University, commented on the extensive use of PFAS: “It’s staggering, they’re in so many products. A lot of the time, they’re put in from a convenience point of view, [e.g.] stain-resistant, so that’s why they’re in school uniform, but consumers don’t know.”
Industry groups have challenged the report’s conclusions. Tobias Gerfin of the Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery and Houseware Industries, asserted that banning PFAS in non-stick pans “is not really the right way forward,” suggesting it could lead to increased food waste, despite acknowledging non-stick pans are not essential.
The Committee warned that without adopting similar measures, the UK risks falling behind the European Union, which is expected to approve a comparable ban later this year. Chloe Topping, senior campaign manager at the environmental charity Fidra, noted the UK’s comparative lack of resources for funding and research capacity when attempting to match EU standards.
A Defra spokesperson affirmed that the government’s PFAS plan demonstrates “decisive action” to address these chemicals, including enhanced guidance, monitoring, stricter regulations, and support for safer alternatives. The government is currently reviewing the Committee’s recommendations.
