BHETA advises on “forever chemicals”
BHETA is advising housewares, small electricals, DIY, garden, and home improvement members to review where PFAS may appear in their products, packaging, and supply chains, as political, regulatory and retailer attention on so-called “forever chemicals” continues to increase in the UK and Europe.
While there is currently no blanket UK ban, BHETA says that PFAS is moving rapidly up the political and regulatory agenda, and businesses should begin preparing now. It is also reminding members that ‘PFOA-free’ does not necessarily mean ‘PFAS-free’. PFOA is one substance within the wider PFAS family, while regulators and policymakers are increasingly considering broader group-based approaches.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are a large family of chemicals used for properties such as non-stick, water-resistant, grease-resistant and stain-resistant performance. They have been present in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including non-stick cookware, bakeware, food-contact packaging, coated surfaces, treated textiles and protective sprays.
The UK Government published its first PFAS plan earlier this year, setting out a framework for coordinated action to understand, monitor and reduce exposure. The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has also called for stronger Government action, including restrictions on non-essential uses of PFAS in consumer products, with a phased approach suggested from 2027.
Home and garden product categories affected include non-stick cookware, bakeware coatings, small electrical appliances with coated food-contact surfaces, grease-resistant packaging, baking liners, stain-resistant or water-resistant textiles, protective sprays, cleaning products and treated surfaces.
What suppliers need to do
BHETA recommends that members begin a practical review of their own product ranges, packaging, and supply chains, including the review of any products currently making claims such as ‘PFOA-free’, ‘PFAS-free’, ‘fluorine-free’ or similar. It is also important to ask their own factories and supply partners whether PFAS are intentionally added, whether fluoropolymers are present, and what technical evidence or testing information is available. Members should also identify whether relevant products, components or packaging are supplied into the EU or Northern Ireland, where requirements may develop differently or sooner.
BHETA’s General Manager, Steve Richardson explained, “Recent comments from Government have suggested that the UK may use EU chemicals rules as a starting point for UK REACH, diverging only where there is a clear reason to do so. This is important for BHETA members because EU rules and proposals on PFAS may become increasingly relevant to businesses selling into the EU or Northern Ireland, supplying major retailers, or working with customers who use EU requirements as their compliance benchmark. While not every EU PFAS measure will automatically become UK law, members should not assume that Great Britain will remain on a slower or separate regulatory path.
“The other point to consider is that commercial pressure may move faster than legislation. Retailers, marketplaces, and customers may ask suppliers for declarations, testing evidence or confirmation that products do not contain intentionally added PFAS. This could happen before new laws are introduced.”
BHETA’s view on PFAS
BHETA’s position is that any future regulation must recognise the legitimate environmental and public-health concerns driving the debate, yet be clear, evidence-based, proportionate, and workable for suppliers.
BHETA will seek clarity on which PFAS definitions Government intends to use, which product categories are likely to be prioritised, what transition periods may be proposed, how claims such as ‘PFAS-free’ or ‘no intentionally added PFAS’ should be evidenced, and how any new rules will be enforced fairly across the whole market, including online marketplaces and overseas sellers.
Steve continued, “BHETA is in contact with Government and stakeholders and will continue to monitor the situation and keep suppliers informed. PFAS is clearly moving up the political and regulatory agenda, and members should start mapping potential PFAS exposure in products and packaging now, and speak to BHETA if they have examples of where regulation could create technical, commercial, or supply-chain challenges.”
BHETA members with specific concerns, technical questions or examples of likely commercial impact are encouraged to contact the BHETA team. Real-world member evidence will be important in helping the Association represent the sector effectively. BHETA is also considering setting up a PFAS Working Group to help gather member evidence and inform the Association’s future representations to Government. Members interested in joining such a group should contact Will Jones at wj@bheta.co.uk.
BHETA represents 300 member businesses with £11 billion in collective annual sales across DIY, Garden, Housewares, and Small Electrical Accessories sectors. It provides members with market intelligence, legislative guidance, networking opportunities, and educational events to support business growth and industry development.
For more information about BHETA services and events, suppliers should contact BHETA’s Member Services team at info@bheta.co.uk or +44 (0)121 237 1130.