Dutch Government To Hold 3M Liable for ‘Forever Chemicals’ Damage
May 23, 2023 | Source: Reuters | by Stephanie van den Berg
THE HAGUE, May 23 (Reuters) – The Dutch government said on Tuesday it would hold U.S. industrial group 3M Co (MMM.N) liable for polluting the Western Scheldt river with potentially harmful substances known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”.
3M said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters that it had received a letter from the Dutch government’s legal representative on Tuesday and was studying its contents.
The Netherlands said it would hold the company responsible for pollution in the Dutch part of the river allegedly caused by its nearby Belgian plant.
Higher than acceptable pollutant levels have resulted in financial damages for the fishing fleet and the government, the Netherlands said.
“I think polluters should pay (…). Holding 3M liable is in line with that basic position,” Dutch Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Mark Harbers said in a statement.
3M said it had already invited the Dutch authorities to have a meeting about the PFAS situation in the Western Scheldt.