On 1 July 2026, the European Commission replied to the Market Advisory Council’s (MAC) advice on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), adopted in March.
Signed by Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) Charlina Vitcheva, the reply respons to the MAC advice. It confirms progress on several fronts but does not address the key question of who bears the costs.
Restrictions and water rules
Several individual PFAS are already restricted in the EU. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is assessing a proposal by five national authorities to restrict the whole PFAS group and will transmit its final opinion by the end of 2026. Following this, the Commission will present its restriction proposal.
The Commission points to the Water Framework Directive, where the lists of water pollutants, that pose risks to nature and human health, now includes groups of PFAS in surface and groundwaters.
Monitoring and data sharing
The Commission fully supports further monitoring of PFAS in fish and other seafood, and recommends that data be submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It also notes that, under the Chemicals Industry Action Plan, the Commission will introduce an EU-wide PFAS monitoring framework, which will provide regulators, citizens and businesses with clearer information and tools.
Maximum levels for feed
On feed, the Commission refers to the Commission Recommendation 2026/1307 that recommends Member States and feed business operators monitor PFAS in feed during 2026, 2027 and 2028. Based on this, the Commission will assess the resulting EFSA data and, if needed, consider a mandate to EFSA on the transfer of PFAS from feed to food before discussing possible maximum levels.
A dedicated fund?
On the MAC’s proposal for a dedicated fund under the polluter pays principle, the Commission does not commit to such a mechanism. It notes that the amending Directive (EU) 2026/805 obliges it to publish a report on the possibility of including an extended producer responsibility mechanism in the Water Framework Directive, covering the feasibility of requiring producers of listed substances to contribute to monitoring programmes.
It also refers to the Water Resilience Strategy and to a possible public-private initiative on PFAS detection and remediation, should partners be willing to invest.
The full Commission reply is available here.
