Denmark bans 33 PFAS Pesticides in 2025: What It Means for the Nordic Region and EU Northern Zone

Denmark has taken a leading role in restricting PFAS-based pesticides by reassessing and withdrawing approval for 33 plant protection products whose active substances degrade into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) — a persistent PFAS compound now recognised as a long-term threat to groundwater.

This move is already influencing PFAS policy discussions across the Nordic region and the EU Northern Zone, with Sweden and Norway beginning its own reassessment process and EU authorities progressing toward a broader universal PFAS restriction under REACH.

This article summarises what Denmark has done, how other Nordic countries are responding, and what pesticide manufacturers, formulators and registration holders should do next.

Denmark bans 33 pesticide products

In 2025, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Miljøstyrelsen, have completed a reassessment of six PFAS-containing active substances:

• Fluazinam
• Fluopyram
• Diflufenican
• Mefentrifluconazole
• Tau-fluvalinate
• Flonicamid

These substances were shown to degrade into TFA, a highly mobile, persistent PFAS that contaminates groundwater and cannot be removed using existing purification technologies.

Withdrawal timeline

• July 2025: Denmark withdrew approval for 23 products, with phase-out periods of 6–15 months.
• Late 2025: Approval for eight additional PFAS-based products was withdrawn.
• Total withdrawals: 33 pesticide products as of November 2025.

Potato cultivation was highlighted as one of the most affected sectors.

Why Denmark Took This Step: The Role of the TriFluPest Project

The decision is based primarily on findings from the TriFluPest research project led by the National Geological Surveys for Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).

Key conclusions:

• PFAS pesticides degrade into TFA under typical agricultural conditions.
• TFA is found in groundwater across Europe and is extremely persistent.
• Continued authorisation of these PFAS pesticides could lead to exceeding the EU drinking water directive.
• Denmark determined that continued approval would violate groundwater protection requirements.

 

Impact on Other Northern Countries

No other Nordic country has (yet) adopted the same 33-product ban. However, Denmark’s action has triggered regulatory follow-up obligations.

Sweden

On 20 November 2025, the Swedish Chemicals Agency, Kemikalieinspektionen, announced:

• The start of a reassessment of 38 Swedish pesticide products containing the same six active substances.
• Decisions planned by April 30, 2028, with up to 18 months grace period.
• Emphasis on protecting future groundwater resources.

Sweden’s reassessment is required under EU rules when another Member State revokes product approvals based on new risk evidence.

 

Norway

On 21 November 2025, the Norwegian food safety authority, Mattilsynet, announced that:

• 13 pesticide products currently authorised in Norway contain active substances that can degrade into TFA.

• Mattilsynet will now require product authorisation holders to document that use of these products will not lead to TFA leaching into groundwater above the legal limit of 0.1 µg/L.

• If companies cannot demonstrate this, the products will be withdrawn from the Norwegian market.

 This requirement will apply not only to existing products but also to new applications and applications currently under evaluation, mirroring the tightened risk-assessment approach seen in Denmark and Sweden.

• Norway aims to finalise its reassessment of the 13 products by 30 April 2028 — the same deadline Sweden has set for its 38-product review.
• If withdrawals are issued, Mattilsynet plans an 18-month phase-out period for sale and use.
• The agency will also invite stakeholders to a dedicated meeting to discuss the process, expectations and evidence requirements.

 

We expect other Northern zone countries to undergo similar reevaluations of PFAS product approvals in the near future.

The Danish bans and the Swedish and Norwegian announcements are early signals of shifting PFAS policy across the EU Northern Zone.

 

What This Means for Pesticide Manufacturers and Registration Holders

Companies should prepare for:

Product portfolio screening

• Identify products containing the six reassessed PFAS active substances.
• Evaluate national phase-out deadlines (where applicable)
• Stay updated on potential similar developments in other EU Northern Zone countries

Strategic opportunity for non-PFAS products

Where PFAS products are withdrawn, safer alternatives may gain market relevance more quickly, especially if supported by:

• Fresh efficacy data
• Demo& marketing trials
• Evidence of environmental comparability
• New digital tools for performance validation (imaging, NDVI, plant height, crop coverage, etc.)

 

How Agrolab Supports Companies in the Northern Zone

Agrolab helps manufacturers and registration holders navigate PFAS-related regulatory changes through an integrated approach combining regulatory consulting and field research trials.

Regulatory Consulting

• Portfolio screening for PFAS-linked risks
• Gap analysis for data packages
• Planning of risk mitigation strategies
• Support for Northern Zone submissions, variations and renewals

Field Trials & Demonstration Work

• GEP efficacy trials aligned with updated regulatory expectations
• Demo & marketing trials to highlight performance of non-PFAS alternatives
• Digital measurement technologies:
  • Drone-based NDVI/NDRI
  • Plant height and crop coverage
  • Image segmentation and green area quantification
• Trials designed to support both regulatory dossiers and market positioning

Workshops & Strategic Sessions

Ideal for companies needing to understand:

• PFAS and TFA implications
• Data needs for upcoming reassessments
• Time-critical requirements
• Trial design tailored to commercial and regulatory goals

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