France, Jan. 12 -- The measures stem from the recast EU Drinking Water Directive adopted in 2020. They set two safety limits for PFAS in drinking water: one covering 20 of the most concerning chemicals, and another covering all PFAS combined.

The rules require authorities to act if those limits are exceeded.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of human-made chemicals used in products such as pesticides, waterproof coatings and industrial materials. They break down very slowly and can remain in the environment for many years.

In France, the new EU rules follow a large national testing campaign carried out by Anses, France's food and health safety agency, between 2023 and 2025. The aim was to get a clearer pic...