Denmark’s PFAS pesticide phase-out enters its final season — and five more substances are under investigation
20 August 2026
Denmark's PFAS pesticide restrictions are entering a new phase.
The 33 plant protection products withdrawn in 2025 are now approaching the end of their respective phase-out periods, making this the final autumn in which some of the affected products can still be used.
At the same time, Denmark has announced a DKK 1.8 million research project to investigate five additional PFAS active substances currently approved in Denmark and whether they can degrade into TFA at levels relevant to groundwater protection.
For registration holders, the two developments are connected but require different considerations: one concerns products already being phased out; the other concerns active substances where the regulatory outcome is not yet known.
PFAS pesticides in Denmark: a quick overview
- 33 plant protection products were withdrawn in Denmark in 2025 following evidence of TFA formation.
- 2026 is the final phase-out season for the remaining affected products.
- Five additional active substances are now (as of 9th August 2026) under investigation: lambda-cyhalothrin, oxathiapiprolin, picolinafen, pyroxsulam and tefluthrin.
- DKK 1.8 million has been allocated to GEUS research into potential TFA formation.
- The new investigation is not itself a withdrawal decision.
The 2025 PFAS pesticide withdrawals are now reaching their final phase
In 2025, Miljøstyrelsen withdrew approval for 33 plant protection products containing six active substances associated with the formation of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA):
- Fluazinam
- Fluopyram
- Diflufenican
- Mefentrifluconazole
- Tau-fluvalinate
- Flonicamid
The withdrawals followed scientific work showing that certain fluorinated pesticides can degrade into TFA, a persistent and highly mobile PFAS compound that can reach groundwater.
The products were given different phase-out periods depending on the individual approval. The remaining products are now entering their final autumn before the 2025 withdrawals are fully phased out.
Five additional PFAS active substances are now being investigated
The Danish PFAS discussion is not ending with the 2025 withdrawals.
Miljøstyrelsen has now announced funding for research into five additional PFAS active substances currently approved in Denmark:
- Lambda-cyhalothrin
- Oxathiapiprolin
- Picolinafen
- Pyroxylam
- Tefluthrin
The substances have been identified for further investigation because of a potential link to TFA formation. They have not been withdrawn.
The new research project, carried out by GEUS, will investigate whether the substances form TFA under relevant conditions and whether the resulting concentrations could be relevant to groundwater and drinking-water protection.
Miljøstyrelsen has allocated approximately DKK 1.8 million to the project.
One of the substances attracting particular attention is lambda-cyhalothrin. Miljøstyrelsen reports that sales of products containing the active substance reached 3.326 kg in Denmark in 2024 and have increased since 2015.
The agency has stated that there is a substantiated suspicion that lambda-cyhalothrin can form TFA and that the new research will determine whether this occurs at levels that could lead to further regulatory action.
The Danish Ministry of Environment has also highlighted the issue and the possibility of further action depending on the research findings.
The important distinction is that these five active substances remain approved while the evidence is being established.
FAQ
In 2025, Denmark withdrew the approvals of 33 plant protection products containing six active substances: fluazinam, fluopyram, diflufenican, mefentrifluconazole, tau-fluvalinate and flonicamid. The withdrawals followed evidence that these substances can degrade into TFA at levels relevant to groundwater protection.
For the remaining products affected by the 2025 withdrawals, 2026 is the final phase-out period, with product-specific deadlines extending into the autumn. Companies should check the applicable withdrawal decision for the exact deadline for sale, use and possession.
Miljøstyrelsen has announced further investigation of five PFAS active substances: lambda-cyhalothrin, oxathiapiprolin, picolinafen, pyroxsulam and tefluthrin. The research will investigate whether these substances degrade into TFA at levels that could threaten groundwater and drinking water.
No. Lambda-cyhalothrin remains authorised in Denmark. Miljøstyrelsen currently has a substantiated concern that lambda-cyhalothrin may form TFA and has funded further research to establish whether this occurs at levels relevant to groundwater protection. Further regulatory action could follow depending on the results.
TFA, or trifluoroacetic acid, is an ultra-short-chain PFAS compound that is highly mobile and persistent. Certain fluorinated plant protection active substances can degrade into TFA, making their potential formation and leaching relevant to groundwater risk assessment and pesticide authorisation.
Registration holders should review affected products, confirm applicable phase-out deadlines, assess replacement options and identify potential data gaps. Where alternative products require additional data, planning field trials early can help support future regulatory and commercial strategies.
Yes. GEP field trials can generate data to support the evaluation and development of alternative products, including products being considered for new crops, targets or uses. Trial design should be aligned with the intended regulatory strategy from the outset.
Further reading
PFAS Pesticides in Denmark: Final Phase-Out Season and New Regulatory Developments
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