Interim position statement on the approach to PMT concept to support UK REACH risk management of PFAS
A policy approach to address persistent, mobile, toxic, or very persistent, very mobile concerns to support managing risks from poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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This interim statement is a policy approach which has been agreed with the Scottish and Welsh governments. It is being published on behalf of all nations subject to UK REACH Regulation.
Managing chemicals with combined persistence and ability to move around the environment has been under discussion internationally for years. This interim position statement on persistent, mobile, toxic (PMT), including very persistent, very mobile, (vPvM) concept supports managing the risk of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (footnote 1) under UK REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) (footnote 2).
PFAS are a broad class of synthetic, fluorinated organic chemicals. They degrade slowly because of the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond, so can remain in the environment for decades. This high level of persistence combined with multiple sources, for example firefighting foams, industrial processing aids and textile coatings, makes risk management challenging. There has been growing concern about human health risks associated with exposure to PFAS too.
Applying an approach to manage the risk associated with PMT or vPvM concerns to PFAS, many of which are extreme examples of persistent and mobile substances, will support chemical regulation in Great Britain (GB). This includes proposed restrictions under UK REACH. This builds on the 2023 , which included discussion of PFAS, and environmental hazards associated with persistence, bioaccumulation, mobility, and toxicity.
This statement also provides a basis to prioritise:
- research in addressing gaps in our technical knowledge
- available data
- appropriate test methods that limit the application of the PMT concept
While the focus in this interim position statement is on PFAS, a wider range of substances potentially have these properties of concern.
Footnotes
1: This includes parent (precursor) and degradants (transformation products or arrowheads).
2: References to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, referred to in this interim position statement as UK REACH, are to the .