France Leads the Way in Banning Pfas from Everyday Products
Starting January 1, 2026, France will officially ban Pfas in various consumer goods, becoming the first European nation to take such decisive action against these hazardous substances.
France has taken a bold step in banning Pfas, the widely used chemicals found in countless everyday products that pose severe health risks. Often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme resistance to degradation, Pfas will no longer be permitted in textiles and cosmetics sold in France. This makes France the first country within the EU to enforce such a comprehensive prohibition.
The National Assembly has passed a law that, from January 1, 2026, will prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of any cosmetic products, ski wax, or textiles for clothing containing Pfas. Exceptions will apply only to certain industrial fabrics deemed essential for specific uses.
With this legislation, France is pioneering the regulation of Pfas production, distribution, and usage in Europe. The law also targets Pfas contamination in water, introducing a tax on businesses responsible for pollution, in alignment with the polluter pays principle.
Why Ban Pfas?
Pfas encompass a vast family of 5,000 to 10,000 synthetic compounds widely present in the environment. Their defining feature is an exceptionally strong chemical bond, making them resistant to water, heat, and corrosion. This durability has led to their widespread use in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, optical lenses, medical devices like stents, and even some pharmaceuticals.
However, this same resistance to decomposition makes Pfas highly persistent pollutants, posing significant risks to both human health and ecosystems.
Just last month, following revelations about the staggering costs of Pfas pollution, numerous environmental and health organizations urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take stronger action. They reminded her of the 2022 commitment under the European Green Deal’s Zero Pollution Strategy to eliminate Pfas contamination.
What About Italy?
Greenpeace Italy has strongly criticized the Italian government’s inaction. Giuseppe Ungherese, head of Greenpeace Italy’s Pollution Campaign, stated:
“The Meloni government continues to ignore the issue, despite widespread contamination of drinking water and severe pollution cases in regions like Veneto and Piedmont.”
Greenpeace highlighted that the French National Assembly overwhelmingly approved the new law, with only 51 votes against out of 289. The measure bans Pfas in cosmetics, wax-based products, waterproofing treatments, clothing, and textiles, positioning France at the forefront of Europe’s fight against these dangerous chemicals.
