Overview

• Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU countries agreed to expand the pollutant list to include persistent PFAS across rivers, lakes and groundwater.
• The reform reportedly adds 25 PFAS compounds to monitoring lists, responding to evidence of environmental and health risks linked to the chemicals.
• Member states say they generally have until 2039 to meet the new standards, with some measures applying from 2033 and possible extensions to 2045.
• Environmental groups criticize the package as too weak, citing long transition periods and PFAS thresholds they say fall short of scientific recommendations.
• Fresh analysis shows TFA, a PFAS degradation product, is now detectable across much of Germany with rising concentrations, yet no EU‑wide binding TFA limit exists and permitted discharges continue, including up to 24 kilograms daily into the Neckar from Solvay.