PFAS and Insurance: What Irish Businesses Need to Know

PFAS and Insurance: What Irish Businesses Need to Know 

A growing chemical risk is reshaping the insurance landscape for Irish businesses, and the window to get ahead of it is narrowing. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, have been used in everyday products for decades, appearing in non-stick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, textiles, paints and coatings. What makes PFAS significant from an insurance perspective is their persistence. They do not break down in the environment or the human body, which is why they have earned the label “forever chemicals.” 

As scientific evidence develops and regulatory pressure builds at EU level, including active assessment of PFAS restrictions under the REACH framework, Irish and European insurers are responding, and faster than many Irish businesses realise. 

The Market Is Already Moving 

Irish liability insurers are beginning to ask PFAS related questions at renewal that were not on the agenda 12 months ago. Some are applying exclusions. Others are reassessing risk by sector and by policyholder. The US market, considerably further along this curve, shows where Ireland is headed next, and the direction of travel is consistent across both. 

The businesses best placed to manage this are the ones who understand their exposure before an underwriter raises the question for them. 

Who Is Affected? 

PFAS exposure is not limited to chemical manufacturers or industrial operators. Airports, waste businesses, water utilities, food producers, construction firms and businesses in the agricultural sector all carry potential exposure. Even indirect exposure, such as PFAS present in a supply chain, can trigger underwriting action at renewal. 

If your business operates in a sector that touches PFAS in any form, your insurance programme is worth a closer look before your next renewal. 

Where This Leaves Your Cover 

Standard Public and Products Liability policies may not respond to PFAS-related incidents, particularly where exclusions have been introduced. As insurers continue to assess PFAS exposure, underwriting approaches are evolving and can differ significantly by sector, business activity and risk profile. Understanding the potential implications for your business can help you prepare for future renewal discussions and make more informed decisions about risk management and insurance cover.

Get the Full Picture 

Brown & Brown Insurance Brokers (Ireland) has produced a briefing paper covering what PFAS are, how Irish and international insurers are responding, the regulatory direction at EU level, and the practical steps businesses should take to protect their coverage position. 

Request a copy of our PFAS and Insurance briefing paper by emailing [email protected]. Our team will follow up directly and can discuss what it means for your business and your sector.