Denmark bans 23 pesticides containing problematic PFAS ingredients

Denmark Cracks Down on PFAS-Linked Pesticides

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen) has officially withdrawn approval for 23 pesticides containing PFAS-related active substances due to concerns over contamination of groundwater. The decision that Denmark bans PFAS is based on a recent study by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) which confirmed that these products degrade into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a highly persistent substance that exceeds the EU’s safety limit of 0.1 micrograms per liter in groundwater. The Danes want to protect their groundwater.

This move represents a significant step in the government’s broader effort to protect the environment and public health from the long-term effects of PFAS chemicals, often referred to as ″forever chemicals″ due to their inability to break down naturally. While Denmark has some of the cleanest water in the world, it’s a positive move that Denmark bans PFAS pesticides.

PFAS Chemicals Pose Health and Environmental Risks

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in various industrial and consumer products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. When used in agriculture, several of these substances can break down into TFA, which is now being detected in levels that surpass EU drinking water standards.

TFA has been classified by German authorities as potentially harmful to reproductive health and fetal development, making it a substance of serious concern across Europe. Because of its chemical stability, TFA does not degrade easily and can accumulate in the environment, particularly in groundwater systems, posing long-term threats to drinking water supplies.

Impact on Agriculture and Upcoming Assessments

The 23 banned products were widely used in Danish agriculture and included active substances such as fluazinam, fluopyram, diflufenican, mefentrifluconazole, and tau-fluvalinate. A sixth substance, flonicamid, has been included in the ban based on evidence from an ongoing EU review suggesting it also contributes to TFA formation.

Together, these active substances accounted for approximately 28% of the total environmental and health-related impact from pesticide use in Denmark in 2023, based on sales data. Nearly 190 metric tons of these chemicals were applied in Danish agriculture last year alone.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency is currently assessing an additional 10 pesticides for possible withdrawal. A final decision is expected before the end of September. If these are also banned, a total of 33 pesticides will be removed from the market due to their TFA-forming potential.

Implementation Timeline and Industry Response

For seven pesticides where no viable alternatives exist, a phase-out period of up to 15 months has been granted. For the remaining two pesticides where substitutes are available, the withdrawal will be finalized within six months—two months allotted for ending sales and four months for ending usage.

The Ministry for the Environment and Gender Equality will work in collaboration with agricultural stakeholders to identify and promote safe alternative solutions that minimize environmental harm while ensuring continued crop production.

Denmark Leads on EU-Wide Focus

Denmark’s proactivity puts it among the leading EU countries in addressing PFAS-related agricultural risks. Similar assessments are now underway in other countries, including Sweden, which is re-evaluating its approvals of PFAS-containing pesticides. However, the pace of action in other EU nations may vary depending on whether they have begun monitoring TFA contamination in local water systems.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has also urged the European Commission to initiate a comprehensive review of the remaining five PFAS-related active substances still approved in Denmark, aiming for a wider regulatory approach to prevent TFA pollution across the EU.

Looking Ahead

As concern about PFAS contamination grows globally, Denmark’s decision underscores the pressing need for science-based environmental policy. The government’s actions reflect a precautionary principle aimed at reducing exposure to long-lasting toxic substances and safeguarding public health and critical natural resources such as clean drinking water. The outcome of the pending assessments and international cooperation will be key in shaping future regulations not only in Denmark but across Europe.