Sweden Plans PFAS Ban Ahead of EU to Cut Public Health Risks

Sweden is moving to restrict the use of forever chemicals across a range of everyday products, with the government highlighting the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure.

The proposed national measures would cover products such as clothing, footwear, cosmetics and kitchen utensils, with the restrictions scheduled to come into force from 1 January 2028.

Sweden’s plans could precede action at European Union (EU) level, with the European Commission (EC) expected to suggest broader restrictions on the chemicals in 2027.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass thousands of chemicals used to make products resistant to water, stains and grease. Their persistence in the environment and ability to build up in the human body have made PFAS a growing public health concern.

The Swedish Government’s Minister of Civil Affairs, Erik Slottner, says, “Sweden is now taking the lead and banning PFAS in several products used in everyday life. This could include clothing, shoes and kitchen utensils. A ban is important to protect human health, nature and consumer protection.”

Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with a range of adverse health outcomes, including cancer, adverse birth outcomes, immune system deficiencies and developmental effects, increasing pressure on governments to reduce exposure and strengthen monitoring of contamination.

Alongside the proposed restrictions, Sweden’s plan includes additional funding and new responsibilities for government agencies to improve PFAS monitoring, prevention and risk management.

Sweden takes decisive action

Sweden’s proposed measures are intended to take effect from 1 January 2028. However, it plans to withdraw its national restrictions once corresponding EU measures come into force.

The EC is expected to set out a broad approach to PFAS restrictions in 2027, following an assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of a proposed universal restriction.

ECHA is expected to complete its assessment by the end of 2026, providing the scientific and regulatory basis for the Commission’s future approach to limiting PFAS exposure.

However, this process is not moving fast enough, according to Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz. “We cannot wait for the EU when it comes to giving Swedes stronger protection. Instead, our national ban paves the way for the entire EU to follow Sweden's example,” she says.

The EC has already introduced restrictions on specific PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), across applications such as consumer textiles, food packaging and cosmetics.

Further measures cover PFAS in firefighting foams, while EU Member States are required to monitor PFAS levels in drinking water under the recast Drinking Water Directive.

PFAS exposure raises public health concerns

PFAS can persist in the environment and remain in the human body for extended periods. The American Cancer Society notes that the chemicals have been detected at low levels in the blood of almost everyone tested worldwide.

Charlie Tan, CEO of Global Impact Coalition, a CEO-led accelerator platform focused on driving the chemical industry toward a net-zero and circular future, has warned of PFAS’ health and environmental challenges.

“Forever chemicals (known as PFAS) are used across industries from semiconductors and textiles to food packaging,” says Charlie Tan, CEO of the Global Impact Coalition, on LinkedIn. “Their durability also means they can persist in our water and environment for decades.”

The health risks vary across the thousands of substances within the PFAS group. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

The European Commission (EC) estimates that maintaining current levels of PFAS contamination without further regulatory action could generate costs of approximately €440bn (US$513.6bn) through 2050.

Its analysis suggests that reducing PFAS releases at source by 2040 could avoid around €110bn (US$128.4bn) in costs, while treating contaminated water alone could exceed €1tn (US$1.17tn).

Commenting on these estimates, Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Economy, says: “Providing clarity on PFAS with bans for consumer uses is a top priority for both citizens and businesses. That is why this is an absolute priority for me to work on this and engage with all relevant stakeholders. Consumers are concerned, and rightly so.”  

The figures underline the scale of the challenge for governments and healthcare systems, as efforts to reduce exposure increasingly focus on prevention, monitoring and managing the long-term health consequences of PFAS.

Companies supporting PFAS remediation

Veolia 

CEO: Estelle Brachlianoff | HQ: Aubervilliers, France

Veolia provides end-to-end PFAS solutions spanning testing, drinking-water treatment, waste management and destruction. Its BeyondPFAS offering includes treatment systems for contaminated water, while its Drop technology has demonstrated up to 99.9999% destruction of targeted PFAS. The company is expanding these capabilities across Europe and the US.

Xylem 

CEO: Matthew Pine | HQ: Washington, DC

Xylem provides PFAS remediation services for municipal and industrial water, using technologies including granular activated carbon, ion-exchange resins and reverse osmosis. Its services cover assessment, pilot testing, mobile treatment and permanent installations, with applications including drinking-water supplies, airports, military bases and contaminated sites.

AECOM 

CEO: Troy Rudd | HQ: Dallas, Texas

AECOM provides PFAS consulting, investigation, remediation and water-treatment services, helping organisations identify and manage contamination across hundreds of sites globally. Its capabilities include engineered PFAS removal solutions and DE-FLUORO technology for destruction. The company works across drinking water, wastewater, contaminated land and other PFAS exposure pathways.