Sweden to ban PFAS in consumer products from 2028

Sweden has announced plans to ban so-called “forever chemicals,” technically known as PFAS, in consumer products such as clothing and kitchenware from 2028.

“Sweden has no intention of standing by while ‘forever chemicals’ continue to spread in our homes, in nature and in our bodies,” Environment and Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said in a statement, as quoted by Le Monde.

According to the Swedish government’s official website, the aim is to reduce the spread of PFAS to protect the environment and human health.

The restriction comes after decades of warnings from campaigners, health organisations, and investors, given the growing problem across Europe and the knock-on costs for society.

EU-Wide Developments

The announcement coincides with progress by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on EU-wide restrictions. At the end of March, ECHA published a scientific opinion recommending a broad restriction on PFAS across the EU.

This follows the work of five countries — Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and non-EU Norway — which jointly submitted a proposal for a general PFAS ban to ECHA in 2023.

A final opinion by ECHA is expected at the end of the year, after which the political decision will move to the European Commission and all EU member states.

Industry Response

When ECHA opened its public consultation on the five-country proposal, it received over 5,600 submissions — one of the highest volumes the agency has ever handled. A significant portion came directly from corporations, law firms, trade groups, and foreign industry coalitions.

Chemical giants such as Chemours, 3M, and Solvay, along with major industry bodies including Cefic and PlasticsEurope, drastically increased their EU lobbying budgets following the 2023 submission.