EU targets PFAS with stricter drinking water monitoring regulations

New EU drinking water regulations are now in force, requiring mandatory monitoring of PFAS contamination across all member states.

Introduced on 12 January under the recast Drinking Water Directive, the rules compel EU countries to test drinking water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and report the results to the European Commission. The Commission says the measures give governments the “rules and tools” needed to protect public health amid rising concern over chemical pollution.

PFAS are a large group of industrial chemicals that persist in the environment and the human body, earning the nickname ‘forever chemicals’ because they can take more than 1,000 years to degrade naturally. Manufacturers use PFAS to make products water- and grease-resistant, including non-stick cookware, clothing and food packaging, bringing them firmly into focus for the food and drink sector.

Peer-reviewed studies have linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk, reduced fertility and immune system impacts, intensifying pressure on regulators and food businesses to limit contamination risks across the supply chain.

Mandatory monitoring and enforcement across member states

The new regime marks the first time PFAS levels are being “systematically monitored” across the EU. All member states must now test drinking water against harmonised legal limit values and report contamination data, including exceedances, incidents and any granted derogations, to the Commission. The reporting system is simpler than under the previous directive, reducing the overall data burden while improving consistency across the bloc.

When PFAS levels exceed legal limits, authorities must act to reduce contamination and inform the public. Actions may include closing contaminated wells, adding treatment steps to remove PFAS or restricting use of affected drinking water supplies until compliance is restored.

The Commission says the crackdown directly supports the EU’s Water Resilience Strategy and the right to safe drinking water, responding to calls for urgent action on pollutants threatening drinking water sources used for human consumption and food production.

To support consistent enforcement, the Commission issued technical guidelines in 2024 on analytical methods for measuring ‘PFAS Total’ and ‘Sum of PFAS’ in drinking water. Developed in close consultation with member states, the guidance sets out the most appropriate monitoring methods under the revised directive.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, said:

PFAS pollution is a growing concern for drinking water across Europe. With harmonised limits and mandatory monitoring now in force, Member States have the rules and tools to swiftly detect and address PFAS to protect public health.”

An estimated 12.5 million people in Europe live in communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water. The move also comes days after France banned the sale, production or import of products containing forever chemicals where alternatives already exist.