EU tightens rules on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

The European Union on Monday began enforcing stricter limits on PFAS “forever chemicals” in drinking water, requiring authorities across all member states to test tap water for contamination.


Issued on: 12/01/2026 - RFI

Tap water across the European Union is now subject to stricter testing rules for PFAS, a group of highly persistent chemicals known as “forever chemicals”. AP - Attila Kovacs

The measures stem from the recast EU Drinking Water Directive adopted in 2020. They set two safety limits for PFAS in drinking water: one covering 20 of the most concerning chemicals, and another covering all PFAS combined.

The rules require authorities to act if those limits are exceeded.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of human-made chemicals used in products such as pesticides, waterproof coatings and industrial materials. They break down very slowly and can remain in the environment for many years.

In France, the new EU rules follow a large national testing campaign carried out by Anses, France’s food and health safety agency, between 2023 and 2025. The aim was to get a clearer picture of PFAS contamination in drinking water before the EU deadline.

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Nationwide snapshot

Anses screened for 35 PFAS substances in more than 600 samples of raw water and the same number of tap water samples. The testing covered mainland France and overseas territories.

Two-thirds of the samples were taken from areas where regional health agencies had identified a potential risk of PFAS pollution.

Of the 35 PFAS screened for, 20 were detected at least once in raw water and 19 in tap water.

Anses said that in the vast majority of samples, PFAS levels were below the regulatory limits that apply. Only a small number exceeded the EU threshold for the combined level of the 20 PFAS covered by the directive.

The agency said the results would help improve long-term monitoring and decide which substances may need closer attention in future.

For environmental group Générations Futures, the new rules mark a major change in how contamination is tracked nationwide.

“Finally, we are going to have data on the presence of the 20 main PFAS in tap water for the whole of France,” François Veillerette, spokesperson for Générations Futures, told France Culture radio.

Until now, monitoring had been uneven.

“In 2025, we had data in some regions, but not everywhere,” Veillerette said, adding that the new system would allow comparisons between regions, tracking over time and identification of areas most at risk.

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A chemical left out

One substance stood out in the Anses campaign. Trifluoroacetic acid, known as TFA, was detected in 92 percent of both raw and mains-supplied water samples. Its concentration varied widely from place to place.

TFA is not included in the list of 20 PFAS covered by the new EU limit.

“It will be monitored next year, but we would have liked it to be included from 2026,” said Veillerette.

He warned that once PFAS pollution becomes established, treating drinking water becomes expensive. “If these substances settle in and increase, it will cost a lot to filter and treat the water,” he said.