On 20 February 2025 the French National Assembly passed a new law aimed at reducing public exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), banning their use in key consumer products.

What the law requires

From 2026 the legislation will ban the production, import and sale of products containing PFAS, as follows.

From 1 January 2026, a ban on manufacturing, importing, exporting and placing on the market products containing PFAS in the following categories:

Cosmetics: all beauty and personal care products.

Textiles: clothing, with the exception of protective equipment for military personnel and firefighters.

Ski wax: products used to maintain and improve ski performance.

From 1 January 2030, the ban extends to all textiles containing PFAS, including a wider range of fabric-based products.

Exemptions and industry impact

The legislation exempts certain items from the ban:

Protective clothing: equipment designed for security forces and emergency responders may be exempt to ensure their safety and operational effectiveness.

Cookware: kitchen items such as non-stick pans are not covered by the law, giving manufacturers extra time to develop suitable PFAS-free alternatives.

Phased implementation gives the industry a clear timetable for moving to safer alternatives, reflecting a balance between public health priorities and economic considerations.

The move puts France at the forefront of global regulation and efforts to reduce PFAS use, setting a precedent for comprehensive chemical safety standards.

NTEK capabilities

NTEK offers PFAS testing together with comprehensive testing, consultancy and regulatory training services:

Total fluorine screening.

Organic fluorine screening.

Quantitative PFAS analysis.

Fluoropolymer composition analysis.