On December 1, 2025, the UK government officially released the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). Under "Goal 4: Chemicals and Pesticides," the plan explicitly states that measures will be taken to minimize the potential risks of chemicals and pesticides to the environment and public health. These measures include reforming the UK's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) regulations and strengthening the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
UK REACH
To ensure sustainable growth in the industry, the EIP proposes a systemic reform of the UK Chemicals (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction) Regulations (UK REACH). The goal is to achieve closer regulatory alignment with major trading partners, such as the EU, by December 2028, accelerate the control of high-risk substances, and reduce the compliance burden on businesses. Specific measures include:
- Legislating to extend the deadline for companies to submit transitional registration data by October 2026;
- Collaborating with the Scottish and Welsh governments to legislate restrictions on lead ammunition by the end of August 2026;
- Including high-risk substances in the UK REACH "Authorization List" by the end of 2027, encouraging industries to adopt safer alternatives;
- Reviewing interim principles for adding new substances to the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list by the end of December 2026 and updating the candidate list accordingly;
- Publishing an annual UK REACH work plan to clarify priority regulatory areas.
PFAS
The UK has already banned three key PFAS under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulations and is evaluating whether to further restrict their use in firefighting foams. In 2026, the government will release a PFAS Action Plan, covering monitoring, pollution remediation, public education, and interdepartmental coordination. The aim is to reach a decision on restricting PFAS in firefighting foams by 2027.
Other Chemicals
To fulfill international obligations under the Stockholm Convention and the Minamata Convention, the UK will update the POPs control list through legislation by the end of 2025 and restrict the manufacture, import, and export of new mercury-containing products. Additionally, the government is committed to completely phasing out polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in existing equipment by the end of 2025 and will take enforcement actions against those who continue to use them beyond the deadline. By 2030, the destruction rate of POPs-containing waste will be significantly increased to reduce the risk of historical pollution persistence.
Further Information
