MEPs want the EU watch lists – which contain substances posing a significant risk to human health and the environment – to be updated regularly to keep pace with new scientific evidence and new chemicals. They also want a subset of specific PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) as well as the PFAS total (parameter which includes the totality of PFAS with a maximum concentration) to be added to the lists for both groundwater and surface water pollutants. Several other substances, including microplastics and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms, should also be added to these lists as soon as suitable monitoring methods identified.

The adopted report also includes stricter standards for several pesticides (including glyphosate and atrazine) and pharmaceuticals.

Producers selling products that contain polluting chemical substances should help finance the monitoring costs, an activity currently financed only by member states.

MEPs…