Negotiators from European Union (EU) member countries and the European Parliament had reached an agreement on Tuesday night to protect surface and ground water in the EU from pollutants.
It also included the so-called forever chemicals.
The legislation was to update the bloc’s current water protection regulation by adding new controlled and monitored substances.
The added chemicals included pesticides, endocrine disruptors, a plasticiser and some pharmaceuticals but also close to 50 different chemicals known by the acronym PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
These chemicals, which were used in a wide range of industrial products and everyday items, do not break down in the natural environment and could be harmful to human health and the environment.
Some PFAS were suspected of causing liver damage as well as kidney and testicular cancer.
“This agreement ensures that Europe’s water legislation keeps pace with science and emerging pollutants,” said Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke, one of the lead negotiators.
“It safeguards the health of EU citizens and future generations by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in our water,” he stated.
“Clean water is good for people, good for the environment and good for our economy.
“An investment that will pay us back many times,” said EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall whose department tabled the bill in 2022.
EU countries have to comply with the new standards by 2039.
For some substances, the requirements must, however, be met as early as 2033.
In certain cases the deadline could be extended until 2045.
The European Parliament and capitals still have to adopt the agreement which is considered a formality.
