- Department:Comprehensive Planning Division
The Ministry of the Environment (MOENV) invited representatives from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ocean Affairs Council, National Science and Technology Council, and National Health Research Institutes to attend the “2025 National Chemical Substances Management Policy Guidelines and Action Plan Results Presentation – PFAS Management and Future Outlook” at the GIS NTU Convention Center on December 10, 2025. The conference examined current measures and future strategies employed by government ministries to enhance PFAS regulatory frameworks in alignment with international trends, and provided a platform for exchange with representatives from industry, academia, research institutions, and NGOs. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming delivered remarks, highlighting the government’s proactive response to the global PFAS management movement, expressing gratitude for interagency support, and emphasizing ongoing efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.
PFAS refers to a family of chemical substances that are persistent and potentially hazardous, making them notorious “forever chemicals” in the environment. Since 2009, certain PFAS compounds have gradually been included in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. MOENV noted that Taiwan has long prioritized persistent organic pollutants: in 2008, the then Environmental Protection Agency convened an interagency effort to formulate and promote the National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention, which was later extended with a dedicated chapter. In 2024, the Executive Yuan approved the interagency PFAS Management Action Plan.
Since the execution of the national implementation plan and action plan, preliminary results have emerged. As regards source management, MOENV, in accordance with the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act, has regulated 508 substances including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). On August 5, 2025, MOENV pre-announced the addition of 269 PFAS substances as “chemicals of concern.”
In addition, MOENV has set limits under the Drinking Water Quality Standards: the combined concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and PFOS must not exceed 50 ng/L, and the combined concentration of PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) must not exceed 70 ng/L, effective July 1, 2027. Moreover, a guideline for the total concentration of 20 PFAS substances has been established at 100 ng/L to safeguard drinking water.
Regarding cosmetics, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced amendments to the List of Ingredients Prohibited in Cosmetic Products on March 21, 2024, adding 13 PFAS substances in five categories to the prohibited list. This regulation entered into force on January 1, 2025, ensuring protection of public health.
Related testing efforts are ongoing. In 2024, a total of 4,714 samples were analyzed, including river sediments and fish, groundwater, seawater, effluent, drinking water, soil, and textiles, to monitor background concentrations and distribution of PFAS in the environment and consumer products.
Beyond regulation and testing, interagency risk communication efforts have been carried out. In 2024, 42 outreach activities were organized, including meetings, briefings, experiential camps, and school programs, alongside the production of educational materials and a dedicated PFAS webpage to enhance public and stakeholder awareness of PFAS risks and management measures.
MOENV emphasized that PFAS management is a long-term, comprehensive challenge. Only through interagency collaboration and public participation can these efforts be sustained and far-reaching. This presentation served not only as a review of accomplishments but also as a demonstration of Taiwan's chemical management framework, which mobilizes cross-sectoral resources to collectively mitigate risks from PFAS and other chemical substances. For more information, please visit: https://topic.moenv.gov.tw/pfas/mp-17.html
