Referral on revision of PFAS as “Special Pollutants” (SFÄ) in surface water (HVMFS 2019:25)
According to the water framework directive (WFD), national quality requirements for relevant pollutants in surface water in each member state must be established. These are in addition to the prioritized substances with EQS (environmental quality standards) limits. In Sweden these are referred to as “special pollutants” (SFÄ). The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HAV) has now published a referral on an update of the classification limits PFAS SFÄ compounds in their regulation HVMFS 2019:25. Overall the proposal is motivated by new knowledge about the toxicity of PFAS, but it should also be noted that underlying regulation on drinking water has changed since 2019.
In the referral, two new SFÄ limit values for drinking water bodies are given, PFAS4 with a limit of 4 ng/l and PFAS21 with 100 ng/l. These follow the groups and values in the Swedish drinking water regulation (LIVSFS 2022:12) and replace the old PFAS11. The referral also includes a new proposed value for biota (fish muscle) of 0.077 µg/kg FW for PFAS4 in all waters. All limits are the same for inland surface water, coastal water and water in the transition zone. The value of 0.077 µg/kg coincides with the proposed revised WFD EQS value for biota, but in WFD it is based on PFAS24 with the unit PFOA equivalents.
The referral is open for responses and comments until 13 Dec 2024, and HAV states the intention that the revision should enter into force at the latest 3 March 2025.
Eurofins offers a wide range of PFAS packages for natural (clean) waters that can be used for assessment. The PFAS21 (incl PFAS4) pack has the code PLWFW, but PFAS4 and 21 are also contained in our bigger packages PFAS28 (PLWFK), PFAS35 (PLWAF), PFAS49 (PLW81) and PFAS52 (PLW9J). Moreover, the two sums are included in our PFAS24 + DWD package (PLW9D). Regarding biota, PFAS4 are covered by all our packs for the matrix (e.g. PLWQH, PLW7X, PLW7Z). See our search engine for more information.
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HAV referral
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Questions about PFAS can be answered by our analytical advisory service, which can be reached via the customer support, 010-490 8110 or e-mail: sh-analys.miljo.se@etn.eurofins.com