Sweden is reportedly planning to ban “forever chemicals” in clothes and other consumer products by January next year, a move that that will put the country ahead of the European Union which is still preparing a similar proposal.
Also known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), these are widely used man-made chemicals that can take potentially thousands of years to break down, hence earning the moniker “forever chemicals.”
These chemicals, which can accumulate in human bodies and cause cancer, are so widespread across consumer products that they can be found from a pair of yoga pants to non-stick cooking pans. They are often used to make these items grease proof, waterproof, stick-proof, and stain-resistant.
The European Union is planning to present a proposal this year to restrict forever chemicals, with potential exemptions for essential products without alternatives yet like in the medical field. An actual EU-wide restriction, however, might take longer, and Sweden said it is not willing to wait.
“Sweden does not intend to wait while forever chemicals continue to spread in our homes, in nature and in our bodies,” said Romina Pourmokhtari, Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, in a statement as quoted by Euronews.
“With a national ban and a comprehensive action plan, we are raising the level of ambition significantly and giving the authorities better tools to both prevent new pollution and manage that which already exists,” she said, noting that it is expected to come into force on January 1.
“PFAS should not be found in clothing, cosmetics, kitchen utensils and other everyday products when there are working alternatives,” she added.
Prior to this, a few other EU countries have also taken similar initiatives. Denmark, which became the first country in the world to ban forever chemicals in food packaging in 2020, extended this to clothing and footwear just this July. France, on the other hand, has banned PFAS in cosmetics, textiles for clothing, shoes and ski wax since the start of the year.
Passing a ban, however, is not the same as enforcing it. For example, a recent report from Le Monde said the ban is still not enforced in France as of June, given the lack of appropriate inspection resources needed to do so.
Elsewhere, similar restrictions have been applied. Although the U.S. does not have a federal ban, several states such as Maine, Minnesota, and California have taken initiatives to keep forever chemicals from certain consumer goods. On the contrary, the federal government is moving to roll back key protections, such as a national standard under the Biden administration to protect drinking water from forever chemicals. Just this July, the Environmental Protection Agency has approved three new PFAS pesticide for use on crops, as reported by The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit and non-partisan organization.
