Wednesday 4 February
2026, 14.30, Committee Room 8, House of Commons
On Wednesday, the
Environmental Audit Committee will hear evidence from the
Minister for Water, and environmental and health and safety
regulators, in the final session of its inquiry into addressing
the risks of PFAS.
MPs on the cross-party committee have been exploring how the
government should approach regulating and remediating PFAS,
so-called ‘forever chemicals'.
These chemicals are used in many everyday products, from
cosmetics to frying pans, as well as products used by emergency
services and the military, such as firefighting foam. But public
concern has grown in recent years about the risks of PFAS
contaminating the environment and even impacting human health.
In Wednesday's session, MPs will question witnesses on how the
government is approaching the regulation of such a large class of
chemicals, including the future of UK REACH regulations, the main
mechanism by which PFAS are regulated in the UK.
They will also ask about the government's approach to legacy
PFAS. They may ask who will be required to pay for remediating
PFAS, and what methods will be used to destroy it.
Witnesses
Panel one, from 14.30:
- Liz Parkes MBE, Deputy Director for Climate Change, Chemicals
& Markets, Environment Agency
- Matt Womersley, Environment and Business Manager – Chemicals
Regulatory Development, Environment Agency
- Richard Daniels, Divisional Director of Chemicals Regulation
Division, Health and Safety Executive
Panel two, from 15.30:
-
MP, Minister for Water and
Flooding
- Marc Casale, Deputy Director, Chemicals & International,
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
