At the end of February 2025, the French National Assembly passed a far-reaching ban on PFAS compounds. Stricter regulations are also on the horizon in other countries.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are aliphatic organic compounds in which the hydrogen atoms on the carbon skeleton of at least one carbon atom have been completely replaced ('per-') by fluorine atoms. The group of substances comprises between several thousand and several million individual substances. As they or their degradation products are very difficult to break down (persistent) in the environment, they are also known as perpetual chemicals. Exposure to these 'persistent chemicals' is associated with a range of health effects, including developmental disorders and immune system disorders. Some PFAS are suspected of being carcinogenic. Speaking ahead of the partial ban on PFAS in France, Sandra Bell of the non-governmental organization CHEMTrust said that the ban on PFAS in products such as clothing and cosmetics was good news for French citizens concerned about their exposure to these harmful chemicals [*]. The less good news, however, is that some important products such as cookware will be exempt. "France must now push hard for an EU-wide restriction on PFAS to ensure that more products are included and that citizens of all Member States are protected," explained Sandra Bell.
The French draft law
The draft law was adopted in its first phase in April 2024. It provides for a ban on all PFAS in clothing for the general public, cosmetics and ski waxes by 2026 and for all textiles by 2030. Originally, cookware was also included, but an exemption was granted due to intense lobbying in France.
The proposal also provides for PFAS to be added to the list of substances monitored in drinking water in France and to introduce a fee for companies that release PFAS into the environment of €100 per 100 kg of PFAS emitted.
The French National Assembly's Committee on Sustainable Development, Spatial Planning and Regional Planning has now backed a bill to ban PFAS chemicals in consumer products such as clothing and cosmetics in France. The bill was voted on in plenary in February 2025.
Situation of the ban supporters
French citizens have demonstrated their support for action against PFAS. The campaign group 'Générations Futures'[**] gained the support of over 100,000 citizens who called on their politicians to support the ban. Proposed bans on PFAS and other chemicals face strong opposition from industry, which has a vested interest in avoiding regulation.
Remediation of PFAS pollution and support for alternatives
Support for the French ban is likely to be greatest in the 'hotspots' of PFAS pollution, including the area near Lyon known as 'Chemical Valley'. Here, the chemical company Arkema is responsible for large PFAS discharges. It is important that the sources of pollution are stopped by banning the use of PFAS, but national administrations must also improve the monitoring and remediation of existing PFAS pollution and ensure that polluters are held accountable. In addition to the planned measures, France must also support companies in developing safer alternatives to PFAS.
PFAS measures in other EU countries
France is not alone in the EU with its partial ban on PFAS. Denmark has already banned PFAS in paper and cardboard food packaging and plans to ban the sale and import of clothing, footwear and waterproof products containing PFAS from July 2026. The country also has a national action plan for PFAS, which was adopted on a cross-party basis in 2024. In it, Denmark commits to improving the monitoring and remediation of PFAS and working with companies to find alternatives. In the Netherlands, MP Geert Gabriëls has proposed a national ban on PFAS emissions as a first step towards a ban on the production of PFAS. A debate in the Dutch House of Representatives is expected shortly.
In Belgium, Bond Beter Leefmilieu is calling for national substitution and the gradual phasing out of PFAS as well as support for the EU restriction on PFAS by the Belgian government.
A level playing field
According to CHEMTrust, measures by member states such as France and Denmark are welcome, but national measures are no substitute for measures at EU level. The proposed EU-wide PFAS restriction will help to protect citizens and the environment across the EU and create a level playing field for industry. It will also ban perpetuating chemicals from a wider range of applications and encourage innovation for safer alternatives in products from frying pans to heat pumps.
On February 20, 2025, the bill was approved by a majority of members of the National Assembly and came into force.
References
[*] https://chemtrust.org/french_pfas_ban/ (accessed: 1.3.2025).
[**] https://www.generations-futures.fr/ (accessed: 1.3.2025).
