PFAS in drinking water: new standard from January 2026
The introduction of mandatory PFAS monitoring in drinking water marks an important turning point for water quality within the European Union. From the beginning of 2026, all Member States must systematically test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, some of which are among the most persistent and worrying chemicals we know. The new standards, laid down in the revised EU Drinking Water Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/2184), are intended to better protect consumers from chronic exposure through tap water and water used in food production and processing.
What are PFAS and why are they relevant to water quality?
PFAS are a large family of artificially produced chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s because of their water-, grease- and dirt-repellent properties. They are used in products ranging from coatings for textiles and cookware to firefighting foams and industrial processes. The defining characteristic of PFAS is their extreme stability: chemically, they are designed not to break down in the environment.
Toxicologically, PFAS are problematic because some compounds are readily absorbed by the human body and remain in circulation for long periods of time. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS compounds has been linked in epidemiological and toxicological studies to increased risks of cancer, immune system disruption, hormonal effects, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. These effects often only occur with low, chronic exposure, which means that even traces in drinking water can be relevant to long-term public health.
EU Drinking Water Directive: Harmonisation of PFAS Monitoring and Standards
The revision of the European Drinking Water Directive, adopted in 2020, introduces for the first time specific obligations to measure and regulate PFAS in drinking water. This directive came into force in January 2021 and had to be transposed into national legislation by 12 January 2023 at the latest. From 12 January 2026, the new limit values and monitoring obligations will be binding for all Member States.
The EU Directive offers two alternative parameters for standard setting:
PFAS Total: the sum of all PFAS compounds with a limit value of 0.5 µg/L (500 ng/L).
Sum of PFAS-20: the sum of 20 selected PFAS compounds of concern, with a limit value of 0.1 µg/L (100 ng/L).
Member States can choose one or both parameters for implementation. National implementation of the Directive in the various Member States
In order to effectively apply the EU Drinking Water Directive, Member States must transpose European standards into national legislation and regulations. In practice, this means that each country draws up specific standards, effective dates and control schedules to translate European requirements into national regulations.
Below is an overview of how Belgium and the Netherlands have implemented this directive:
Belgium
Belgium has adopted the EU limits with the introduction of 0.1 µg/L for Sum of PFAS-20 and 0.5 µg/L for PFAS Total from 12 January 2026 in the Royal Decree on the quality of water intended for human consumption. For bottled water, the 0.1 µg/L limit was already in force from 4 February 2024. For natural mineral waters, PFAS must be practically absent: below the analytical quantification limit (± 0.020–0.040 µg/L). In addition to the legislation, the Superior Health Council has also published recommendations on PFAS and perchlorates in bottled and process water.
Royal Decree of 4 February 2024 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (NL) https://www.health.belgium.be/nl/organisatie-beleid/regelgeving-beleidsdocumenten/koninklijk-besluit-4-februari-2024
Royal Decree of 8 February 1999 on natural mineral water and spring water https://www.health.belgium.be/nl/organisatie-beleid/regelgeving-beleidsdocumenten/koninklijk-besluit-8-februari-1999
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the Drinking Water Act forms the basis. This Act specifies, for example, how the public drinking water supply must be organised. The Drinking Water Decree and the Drinking Water Regulation set out the requirements that drinking water in the Netherlands must meet. These requirements are based on the European Drinking Water Directive. Dutch legislation will apply the EU limit values of 0.1 µg/L for the sum of PFAS-20 and 0.5 µg/L for PFAS Total from 12 January 2026. Based on health data, the RIVM also recommends applying lower target values for the specific substances PFAS-4 (PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFOS).
FAS in focus: why “sum PFAS” and “total PFAS” are crucial
Legislation on drinking water and process water often refers to two types of PFAS parameters: the sum of selected PFAS compounds and total PFAS. The distinction is important for both monitoring and risk assessment. The sum of specific PFAS, such as PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS, is used because these substances have been well researched, are known as PBT substances (Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic) and therefore exhibit relatively high toxicity and bioaccumulation. Total PFAS, on the other hand, includes all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including unknown or less studied compounds, and provides an overview of the total load on water sources. By monitoring both parameters, legislation can both target the most toxic and regulated PFAS and provide broader protection against all persistent contaminants that may be present in drinking and process water.
PFAS and their risk properties
Persistent pollutants PFAS are characterised by their exceptional chemical stability. They hardly break down in the environment and therefore remain present in soil, water and sediment for years or even decades. This persistence is the reason for their widespread presence in drinking water sources. Examples: PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBS.
PBT substances (Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic) A number of classic, mostly long-chain PFAS meet all PBT criteria. These substances accumulate in the human body and in animals, with demonstrable toxic effects on, among other things, liver function, the immune system and reproduction. For these PFAS, not only is long-term exposure via water problematic, but also accumulation via food and the environment. Examples: PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFOS, PFHxS.
PMT substances (Persistent, Mobile and Toxic) Other PFAS are less bioaccumulative, but highly mobile in water. Due to their high solubility, they migrate easily through soil and groundwater and are difficult to remove using conventional water treatment techniques. It is precisely these properties that make PMT-PFAS particularly critical for drinking water extraction and process water use, even at very low concentrations. Examples: PFBA, PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxA.
The PBT and PMT classification explains why PFAS pose both a health risk and an operational risk. Whereas PBT substances are mainly relevant from a toxicological and food safety perspective, PMT substances pose a structural challenge for water quality, compliance and risk management in production processes.
From cause to analysis: PFAS management in drinking and process water
Causes of PFAS contamination
PFAS contamination of water can have various sources: industrial discharges, diffuse emissions from consumer products, atmospheric deposition and leaching of chemicals from soil and waste. Historical applications, such as the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam around airports and military sites, have now been shown to be significant sources of local groundwater and surface water pollution.
Prevention and treatment options
Due to the extreme persistence of PFAS, prevention is the first line of defence. This means minimising PFAS use, improving process and waste management practices, and implementing polluter pays principles to hold polluters accountable for emissions and remediation.
Within water treatment chains, some technologies can achieve reductions in PFAS concentrations in process and drinking water, such as advanced filtration (reverse osmosis, nanofiltration), adsorption technologies (e.g. activated carbon) or advanced oxidative treatments. These are costly processes, and treatment residues require additional care. Prevention and source management therefore remain a crucial part of risk management.
Importance of analysis and monitoring
For QA managers in the food industry, water quality analysis and monitoring is primarily a preventive tool, not merely a legal obligation. Drinking and process water are critical raw materials: exceeding PFAS limits can lead to production stoppages, blockages or recalls, increased audit pressure and reputational damage. In addition, prolonged exposure to elevated PFAS concentrations can lead to accumulation in products, further increasing the food safety risk.
Structural, reliable monitoring makes it possible to detect trends and deviations at an early stage, even before legal limits are effectively exceeded. This allows targeted measures to be taken at source, in the process or in water treatment, avoiding reactive intervention. Sufficient and qualitatively substantiated analyses are therefore key to operational continuity and proactive food safety.
PFAS analyses with certainty by Normec
Working with Normec means choosing certainty, expertise and future-oriented PFAS monitoring. Our laboratories in the Netherlands and Belgium carry out extensive PFAS analyses for both groundwater and drinking water, including classic and ultra-short chain PFAS. Thanks to our in-depth experience and high-quality analysis methods, our results are audit-proof, legally substantiated and suitable for compliance, permits and enforcement.
Since 6 January 2026, Normec has also been VLAREL-accredited in Belgium for PFAS analyses in groundwater and drinking water. This accreditation is essential, as only VLAREL-accredited analyses are legally acceptable within the Flemish regulatory framework. With our accreditation for packages W.7.9.1 and – as the only laboratory – W.7.9.2, we offer a complete and officially recognised analysis framework in Flanders, even for the most challenging PFAS compounds.
For QA managers in the food industry, this goes beyond simply complying with legislation. It means proactively managing risks, making informed decisions and building trust with regulators, auditors and customers. Normec is therefore more than just a laboratory; it is a strategic partner in water quality and food safety.
For more information or to request analyses, please contact us!
Belgium: Sales@normecfoodcontrol.com tel : 09 363 80 14
Nederland : zaki.al.salihi@normecgroup.com tel : +31 6 82 32 24 19
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