Denmark Cleared to Proceed with National PFAS Ban in Clothing and Footwear

On 20 March 2025, the Danish Ministry of the Environment announced that Denmark can proceed with its planned national ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and consumer-use impregnation sprays. The proposal was submitted to the EU under the Single Market Transparency Directive, and no objections were raised by the European Commission or other Member States, clearing the way for national implementation.

According to the Danish Ministry of the Environment, the legal regulation will be issued on 1 July 2025, giving companies a one-year transition period to adjust. The ban on sales and imports will take effect on 1 July 2026, and companies will have until 1 January 2027 to sell remaining stock already on the market.

Denmark first announced its intention to ban PFAS in these product categories in 2023 due to growing concerns over the persistent and harmful nature of these substances. For details on the scope and initial proposal, see our previous coverage.

France Introduces National PFAS Ban from 2026

France is also introducing a national ban on PFAS in consumer products. Starting 1 January 2026, PFAS will be prohibited in textiles that come into direct contact with the skin - such as underwear, t-shirts, and bedding. This measure is part of France’s broader strategy to reduce PFAS exposure. Read our France PFAS update for more information.

EU-Wide PFAS Ban Still in Development

These national measures precede the proposed EU-wide restriction on PFAS under REACH, submitted jointly by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The proposal is currently being evaluated by ECHA’s scientific committees. Once adopted, it will harmonise restrictions across the EU, although Member States are allowed to take earlier action in areas of national concern.