INDUSTRY COMMENT: BHETA P


FAS, often described as


‘forever


chemicals’, are moving steadily up the political and regulatory agenda in


the UK and Europe and while there is no need to panic about what changes might be coming, the issue is very much live. If anything, the danger for DIY and garden supplies retailers is to think that this is primarily an issue for other sectors – housewares where non-stick cookware is clearly in the frame, or chemicals manufacturers. This view is massively complacent. The PFAS question has potential implications for suppliers, retailers, importers, brands, and marketplaces across a wide range of product categories – and the time to start looking at the implications in the DIY and garden sector is now. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are a large family of chemicals that have been used because they can provide useful performance characteristics such as water resistance, stain resistance, grease resistance, non- stick performance, durability. and chemical resistance. While non-stick pans are obvious, equally significant are DIY and garden products such as treated textiles, outdoor fabrics, protective clothing, gloves, sealants, coatings, paints, varnishes, waxes, polishes, waterproofing sprays, stain-resistant treatments, cleaning products, lubricants, specialist tapes, membranes, and some


forms of


packaging. Garden products are relevant


where water-resistant, stain-resistant, or protective finishes are used. Examples could include outdoor cushions, furniture covers, gazebos, BBQ covers, parasols, kneeling mats, treated gloves, protective clothing, and some coated accessories. Not every product in these categories will contain PFAS. The challenge is that many suppliers may not know for certain, especially where products are sourced through complex international supply chains, or where PFAS may be present in coatings, finishes, surface treatments or packaging rather than in the obvious core product.


Why this matters now


The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has recently


called for stronger


Government action on PFAS, including restrictions on non-essential uses in consumer products. Committee


The highlighted cookware,


food packaging and school uniforms, but the wider direction of travel is relevant to DIY, garden and home improvement suppliers too.


8 DIY WEEK JULY 2026


TIME FOR DIY AND GARDEN TO LOOK AT PFAS REGULATION


Viewpoint for DIY Week from Steve Edwards, BHETA’s sector manager for DIY and garden.


Left: Steve Edwards, BHETA’s sector manager for DIY and garden


The Government has responded.


now It has not announced


an immediate blanket ban, but it has confirmed that reducing avoidable uses of PFAS remains an objective of the UK PFAS Plan. It is also considering regulatory and non-regulatory options for some consumer products, including measures designed to improve transparency and support the move towards safer alternatives. For suppliers and retailers, that means PFAS should be treated as an emerging compliance, product stewardship and supply-chain issue, rather than a distant policy debate.


Supply-chain evidence becomes more important


One of the most practical implications for suppliers is likely to be the growing demand for evidence. Retailers may increasingly ask suppliers to confirm whether PFAS are intentionally added, whether fluoropolymers are present, what restricted substance controls are in place and whether claims such as ‘PFAS-free’ or ‘PFOA- free’ can be supported. This is


particularly important


because ‘PFOA-free’ does not necessarily mean ‘PFAS-free’. PFOA is only one substance within the much wider PFAS family. As regulation and retailer expectations develop, broad or poorly evidenced claims could create risk.


Suppliers should start by mapping


products and packaging where water, grease, stain, or chemical resistance is a selling point. They should then request written declarations manufacturers


and


suppliers, and review technical files, test reports and product claims. This may not always be straightforward. Many suppliers buy finished goods, components, or materials from several different tiers of manufacture. In some cases, the supplier may be relying on information that has passed through multiple intermediaries. This is why early preparation is important. Waiting until a retailer questionnaire,


customer audit from component


regulatory consultation arrives may leave too little time to gather accurate information.


EU alignment adds another layer A further issue is the possibility of closer UK alignment with EU chemicals regulation. The Government has indicated that it wants UK REACH to work more efficiently and more closely with the EU, drawing from final EU regulatory decisions unless there are compelling reasons to diverge.


This


matters because the EU is already considering a broad PFAS restriction. UK companies selling into the EU or Northern Ireland, or supplying retailers with EU-wide compliance systems, may therefore feel the impact of European requirements before any specific GB restriction is introduced. Retailers may also choose to use EU requirements as their own benchmark, particularly where they operate across multiple markets. This does not mean that every EU PFAS measure will automatically become UK law. However, it does mean that DIY and garden suppliers should not assume that Great Britain will remain on a much slower or entirely separate path.


or


Retailer reputation For retailers, the issue is not only product compliance. It is also about reputation, customer information and enforcement. They will need to understand which own-label, imported or marketplace products carry potential PFAS risk, and whether supplier declarations are robust enough. There is also a level playing-field concern. Any future regulation will need to be enforced fairly across UK-based suppliers, overseas sellers, online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer imports.


This being the case it is critical that


responsible suppliers are not be left carrying the compliance burden while less visible sellers avoid scrutiny.


BHETA’s role BHETA is monitoring developments closely and is in contact with Government and


relevant


stakeholders on behalf of members. BHETA’s position is that any future regulation must be clear, evidence- based, proportionate, and workable. It must also recognise the legitimate environmental and public-health concerns behind the debate. Key issues for the sector include clear definitions, realistic transition periods, practical testing guidance, consistent claims rules, alignment with EU and Northern


requirements where appropriate, and fair enforcement across


whole market. BHETA will also continue to ask Government to consider the practical realities facing suppliers. These include long international supply chains, retailer requirements, the cost and availability of testing, product development lead times, packaging changes, legacy stock, and the need for clarity before businesses are expected to invest in alternative materials or coatings.


Don’t panic, but do prepare DIY and garden suppliers should begin reviewing where PFAS may appear in products, components, coatings,


Ireland the


finishes and packaging. In practical terms, that means identifying higher-risk product groups, asking suppliers for declarations, checking product claims, reviewing technical documentation, and understanding whether products are sold into the EU or Northern Ireland.


www.diyweek.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40