The Battle to Ban ‘Forever Chemicals’: Industry Pressure vs Health and Climate Concerns

Dhe group of so-called per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, or PFAS for short, are better known as “forever chemicals”. Once they get into the environment, they stay there for a long time, sometimes forever. The EU considers these chemicals to be dangerous and wants to ban them. A corresponding regulation should be available by the end of the year.

But it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the step will actually be that big. Because German and European industry consider the project to be dangerous and are exerting pressure. For some, the ban is unavoidable for the health of citizens, while others warn that the measure could accelerate the deindustrialization of the continent – and even weaken the fight against climate change.