Inopsys • EU reaches agreement on revised Water Framework Directive and related legislation

Message published onNovember 03, 2025

The European Union has reached a political agreement on the revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and its daughter directives on Groundwater and Priority Substances. This reform represents a significant step forward in protecting European water bodies and addressing emerging chemical pollutants.

According to the European Commission, the revised legislation focuses on tackling new chemical contaminants, clarifying the non-deterioration principle, and introducing innovative approaches to monitoring and financing.

Updated Environmental Quality Standards

A major element of the revision is the introduction of new and updated Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for both surface water and groundwater.

Expansion of the Priority Substances List

The list of Priority Substances for surface waters has been expanded to include 25 newly identified contaminants, among them:

Pharmaceuticals, including oestrogenic hormones (EE2, E2, E1), various antibiotics (Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin), pain relievers/anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen), and the anti-epileptic drug Carbamazepine.
PFAS: A new standard has been established for the sum of 25 PFAS (expressed as PFOA equivalents). Importantly, Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) is now included in this group.
Bisphenol A (BPA): The Commission will assess whether a standard should also be set for the sum of bisphenols.

Pesticides: A new standard has been introduced for the combined concentration of active substances listed in the annex, with specific monitoring provisions for four compounds measured in biota or sediment, and for glyphosate.

New Standards for Groundwater

For groundwater, the EU has adopted new norms for:

PFAS
Selected pharmaceuticals (Carbamazepine, Sulfamethoxazole, Primidone)
Non-relevant metabolites (nrMs) of pesticides

This reinforces the growing regulatory focus on persistent and mobile pollutants across Europe’s water systems.

TFA: Recognized and Regulated as Part of PFAS

TFA’s explicit inclusion within the group of 25 PFAS marks a significant regulatory milestone. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) classifies TFA as a reproductive toxicant (Category 1B) with hazard statements H360Df: “May cause harm to the unborn child. May impair fertility.”

While this classification is hazard-based and does not itself indicate actual exposure-related health risks, it underscores the importance of monitoring and managing TFA in the environment.

Urgent Need for Expertise in PFAS, PFBA, and TFA Removal

As regulatory pressure increases, industries and water treatment operators face growing challenges in monitoring and removing short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS, including PFBA and TFA. Many existing adsorption systems struggle to meet new performance requirements.

InOpSys offers advanced technologies for PFAS, PFBA, and TFA removal, along with complete support for monitoring, analysis, and treatment optimization. Our experts are ready to help organizations comply with evolving EU standards and ensure safe, sustainable water management.

sources
https://emis.vito.be/nl/artikel/herziening-europese-kaderrichtlijn-water

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/press/pressinformation/german-agencies-classify-tfa-as-toxic-substance