Biennial Conference of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law (SEERIL)
18 May - 20 May 2026
Session information
Darker waters to come, shining a light on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Tuesday 19 May (1320 - 1450)
Description
PFAS, often dubbed ‘forever chemicals,’ are at the centre of an escalating global legal and regulatory storm. Litigation and enforcement actions are intensifying across jurisdictions, with landmark cases shaping the future of corporate liability, environmental remediation and consumer protection. This session brings together leading practitioners and experts at the forefront of PFAS matters to explore the trajectory of PFAS-related disputes, emerging trends in mass litigation and the implications for businesses and governments worldwide. Join the panel for a deep dive into where the next wave of PFAS actions might take us and what strategies are evolving to navigate these darker waters.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Chiara Colamonico | DLA Piper, Rome, Italy; Senior Vice Chair, Environment, Health and Safety Law Committee |
| Warren Percival | RSK Global Experts, Manchester, England; European Regional Forum Liaison Officer, Environment, Health and Safety Law Committee |
Speakers
| Darren Abrahams | Steptoe International, London, England |
| Hendrik Schoukens | Ghent University, Gent, Belgium |
| Yonghee Yoon | Yulchon LLC, Seoul, South Korea |
| Gauthier van Thuyne | A&O Shearman, Brussels, Belgium |