India, April 5 -- The European Union (EU) Parliament on March 26, 2026, approved updated EU water pollution standards. This would help in tackling harmful substances in Europe's rivers, lakes and groundwater.

The legislation updates the lists of pollutants that need to be monitored and controlled, by adding Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) also known as "forever chemicals, pharmaceuticals such as painkillers, industrial substances and pesticides. Several pollutants already included would now be subject to tighter environmental quality standards.

The new measures would also focus on substances of emerging concern, such as microplastics and antimicrobial resistance indicators.

Following this, on March 30, 2026 the European Parl...