News Details
New Zealand to End Transition Period for Fluorotelomer Firefighting Foams on 3 December 2025
New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that the transition period for fluorotelomer-based firefighting foams will end on 3 December 2025. After this date, C6 fluorotelomer foams can only be used with EPA’s explicit approval and must meet strict purity and usage standards outlined in the Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard 2021 (HSR002573).
Key Changes
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C6 fluorotelomer foams will require prior permission for continued use in firefighting systems. Import and manufacture will remain permitted if they comply with group standards and purity requirements.
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All applications for continued use must be submitted to the EPA as soon as possible.
No Extension for Legacy PFAS Foams
There will be no extension for legacy PFAS foams which are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their use in any system ends completely on 3 December 2025, following the earlier phase-out of uncontained uses in December 2022.
Background
Since 2020, New Zealand has been phasing out firefighting foams containing PFAS due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. The 2021 Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard regulates both legacy and C6-based foams by setting requirements for labelling, disposal, and transitioning to safer alternatives.
For more information, see the official group standard here.
We acknowledge that the above information has been compiled from Environmental Protection Authority New Zealand.
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