The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Swedish EPA) has published an annual evaluation highlighting efforts to track and reduce the spread of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as part of the country’s effort towards a non-toxic environment by 2020. Regulatory news provider Chemical Watch reported that the agency recognizes important steps were taken towards this goal in 2019, but that Sweden still has a “long way to go to reach most of the environmental targets.” Efforts addressing PFAS largely focused on drinking water, which included steps towards creating a positive list of chemicals allowed in materials that come into contact with drinking water (FPF reported). Sweden was also a key voice in promoting the creation of an action plan on the substance group at the EU-level (FPF reported).

The evaluation noted three priority chemical risk areas to address, which included the “large proportion” of unknown PFAS, the need to address chlorinated paraffins as a group, and a lack of coordination to address exposure to allergens. The Swedish EPA wrote that it works to ensure quick and efficient communication of information on hazardous chemicals and to facilitate collaboration between government authorities and other stakeholders during actions to address these risk areas.

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Chemical Watch (April 2, 2020). “Sweden ramps up activities to address PFASs.”

Reference

Swedish EPA (March 2020). “Miljömålen Årlig uppföljning av Sveriges nationella miljömål 2020.” (pdf)

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