At Nikwax, we firmly believe that looking after outdoor gear shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment we’re heading out to enjoy. That is why every single Nikwax product has always been PFAS-free – not because regulations made us do it, but because it is the right thing to do. Our commitment to Clean Chemistry is in our DNA, not just a reaction to trends.
So, when the UK government unveiled its first-ever plan to tackle PFAS (commonly called ‘forever chemicals’) this month, it felt like a watershed moment for anyone who cares about sustainable living and responsible product choices. The plan aims to improve understanding of where PFAS come from, how they spread, and how to reduce public and environmental exposure to them.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals prized for their water and oil repellent properties, but they do not easily break down in nature. Their persistence has raised serious concerns about the long-term impacts of PFAS on water, wildlife, and people. The government’s plan sets out a framework of research, monitoring and future decision-making, with the overarching goal of protecting public health and the natural environment.
However, while this recognition is welcome, it is only a starting point. Without clear commitments to restriction or phase-out, guidance alone risks falling short of the decisive action needed to prevent further environmental harm.
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What the government plan actually covers
The new PFAS plan is this country’s first structured approach to one of the most talked-about chemical issues of our time. Rather than being a set of hard new laws, it is a coordinated roadmap for research, monitoring and future action.
It includes:
- A framework for governments, regulators and businesses to understand where PFAS come from and how they travel through soil, water and air.
- A consultation later in 2026 on introducing a statutory limit for PFAS in England’s public water supply regulations – making enforcement clearer if levels ever exceed limits.
- Plans to improve testing and monitoring of estuaries, coastal waters, soil and sediment to build a clearer picture of environmental risks.
- Investigations into PFAS in food packaging and other everyday materials, supporting future regulatory action.
- Work to reduce industrial emissions and develop guidance for regulators on better handling, monitoring and disposal of PFAS.
- Consideration of restrictions on certain PFAS uses – for example in firefighting foams – under UK chemical regulation systems like UK REACH.
- A new public awareness website to help people learn more about PFAS and make informed decisions.
The government has emphasised a science-based and proportionate approach. While this focus on evidence is important, the absence of clear timelines or firm regulatory commitments represents a missed opportunity for leadership – particularly as scientific understanding and real-world alternatives already exist.
Why PFAS matter for consumer products
Clothing and footwear that repel water are incredibly useful – especially in unpredictable weather – and PFAS have often been used in textile finishes to deliver this performance. But because PFAS do not break down easily, they persist in water, soil and ecosystems long after products are made, used, and disposed of.
That is why the UK plan highlights consumer goods – including water-repellent textiles – as areas where safer, PFAS-free alternatives could be developed. From our perspective, this is not a future aspiration but a present-day reality.
As Dan Yates, Executive Director of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), puts it:
“PFAS are permanently damaging to both freshwater ecosystems and soil health. Whilst it is good to see the UK government launching their PFAS plan, we need to see stronger, faster action on the removal of PFAS from supply chains using the strong example set by companies such as Nikwax.”
For consumers, this is ultimately about confidence and choice: knowing that high-performing products do not need to leave a lasting chemical legacy in the outdoor places we love.
Nikwax: PFAS-free always – not just now
Since our founding in 1977, Nikwax products have been:
- PFAS-free, always: We have never used PFAS or aerosols in any of our formulations.
- Made with clean chemical alternatives that are highly effective yet kinder to people and the environment.
This isn’t a claim we’ve adopted recently. Clean chemistry has been part of our product design and philosophy for almost five decades, demonstrating that safer alternatives are not only possible, but proven at scale.
Alongside our aftercare products, Nikwax also offers a factory applied, PFAS-free, Durable Water Repellent treatment. We developed Direct-Dry® DWR to help offer a high-performance durable PFAS-free solution for outdoor clothing and gear brands to support the move away from the use of PFAS in their waterproof gear.
Nikwax’s broader sustainability commitments
PFAS-free products are just one piece of our sustainability story. We are committed to stewardship that goes beyond product chemistry:
- Clean chemistry in practice – no harmful chemicals enter or leave our facilities, backed by our independently audited chemical management system.
- Carbon balanced operations – all operational emissions are balanced, and we continue working to reduce our footprint.
- Supporting conservation and communities – 1 % of our turnover is pledged to social and environmental causes, and we’ve supported our conservation partners for many years.
Our partnership with EOCA, particularly, reflects a shared commitment to reducing the outdoor industry’s chemical footprint and protecting wild places. Across Europe, this collaboration also supports calls for stronger regulation and faster action on harmful chemicals.
What does this mean for you?
The UK government’s PFAS plan is a welcome step towards better understanding a complex and urgent issue. But its success will depend on what comes next – including consultation outcomes, regulatory follow-through and whether the UK is willing to match the stronger action already underway in the EU.
With European regulators moving towards broader PFAS restrictions, and with industry innovation clearly pointing to viable alternatives, the case for decisive action is stronger than ever.
For people who love the outdoors – and who care about the environments that make those experiences possible – choosing PFAS-free aftercare like Nikwax means backing solutions that have already been proven, not just promised.
Find out more:
Read the full UK government PFAS announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-first-ever-plan-to-tackle-forever-chemicals
Learn about Nikwax’s sustainability journey and commitments: https://nikwax.com/en-gb/sustainability/
