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Toys and Games: Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances

Asked by Ruth JonesLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 125569

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by the presence of (a) perfluoroalkyl and (b) polyfluoroalkyl substances in children’s toys.

Answered by Kate Dearden

There is growing concern that widespread use of PFAS may generate risks to human health. The PFAS Plan, published on 3 February 2026, sets out the Government’s approach to minimising the harmful effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including in consumer goods, while moving to safer alternatives.

The Government plans to launch a Call for Evidence shortly, which will seek views on whether to implement similar requirements in GB to those of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation. This will include possible changes to regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

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