The English version of the study by Dr. Helmut Burtscher-Schaden and Dr. Peter Clausing on the EU regulatory landscape on PFAS pesticides and TFA will be published here on the 24th February.
PFAS pesticides are a major source of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a highly persistent “forever chemical” now found across Europe’s water bodies and food. This event aims to raise awareness about PFAS pesticides as the main source of TFA in groundwater and to highlight the urgent need to ban PFAS pesticides. It will also inform on EFSA’s ongoing assessment of TFA and discuss how to set health-protective thresholds.
Event details
Date & Time: 24 February 2026, 14:00–17:00
Location: European Parliament (room 5E1); interpretation in German, English, and French.
Format: In-person (limited capacity), with live streaming and recording
Hosts: MEP Hélene Fritzon (SE, S&D) and MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (NL, Renew) and MEP Martin Häusling (DE, Greens/EFA).
Co-organisers: Générations Futures and PAN Europe
Programme (draft)
14:00: Opening statements by MEPs
- MEP Martin Häusling (DE, The Greens/EFA)
- MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (NL, Renew)
14:15: Session 1: Towards banning PFAS pesticides: a necessity for Europe
14:15-14:25: EU regulatory landscape on PFAS pesticides and TFA
- Klaus Berend (Director E, DG SANTE)
14:25–14:35: TFA contamination of EU groundwater due to PFAS pesticides
- Dr. Helena Banning, German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)
14:35-14:45: The EU water sector’s perspective: why pollution must be stopped at the source
- Sandra Olbrechts, Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW)
14:45-14:55: Ban in practice: the case of Denmark
- Dr. Signe Bonde Rasmussen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency (online)
14:55-15:25: Panel 1: MEP Martin Häusling, MEP Hélene Fritzon, François Veillerette (Spokesperson, Générations Futures), and Klaus Berend
15:25-15:45: Coffee break
15:45: Session 2: Protecting health : Setting safety limits against TFA exposure
15:45-15:55: Setting health- thresholds for TFA
- Dr. Guilhem De Sèze, Head of Department Risk Assessment Production, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
15:55-16:15: A Critical review of EFSA threshold proposal and recommendations
- Dr. Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, Environmental Chemist and Dr. Peter Clausing, Toxicologist, authors of the report ‘PFAS pesticides: a threat for human health and the environment’
16:15-16:45: Panel 2: Dr. Guilhem De Sèze, Dr. Helena Banning, Academic Scientist (tbc), Dr. Peter Clausing, and Dr. Angeliki Lysimachou
16:50: Concluding remarks
- Dr. Angeliki Lysimachou (Head of Science and Policy, Toxicologist, PAN Europe)
Background: Since EU regulators first identified its groundwater contamination potential in 1998, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has become one of Europe’s most widespread yet overlooked contaminants. It is now found in nearly all tested water bodies, soils, and food, and is highly persistent. TFA cannot be removed by conventional water treatment, causing ongoing environmental accumulation. Scientists warn that global build-up may threaten planetary boundaries. After F-gases, PFAS pesticides are the second major source of TFA, with emissions entering soil and groundwater.
In 2020, a developmental toxicity study, which industry was legally required to conduct, revealed adverse effects on foetal development, prompting Germany to propose classifying TFA as presumed toxic for reproduction (Category 1B). The study also identified impacts on thyroid function, immune response, and sperm production.
The European Commission has tasked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with reviewing the evidence and setting new health thresholds for TFA by July 2026. NGOs caution that these values will be critical to ensure adequate protection of EU citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, from a persistent and widespread contaminant.
Meanwhile, several Member States, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, have begun reviewing the authorisation of PFAS pesticides, leading to partial bans in Denmark. Under EU law, all Member States and the European Commission are required to take action.
Learn more about PFAS pesticides and TFA.Learn more about PFAS pesticides and TFA.
Register here (bis 19.02.2026)
