News Details

On 1 January 2026, France began enforcing national restrictions on the manufacture, import, export and placing on the market of certain consumer products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), following the entry into force of Decree No. 2025-1376 of 28 December 2025.

Products Covered by the Ban

The restrictions apply to the following product categories when they contain PFAS:

• cosmetic products
• ski waxes
• textiles and clothing
• footwear
• waterproofing agents intended for these products

Entry into Force and Stock Sell-Through

The restrictions apply from the date the decree came into force (1 January 2026). Products manufactured before this date may continue to be placed on the market or exported for a period of 12 months, allowing stock to be sold until 1 January 2027.

Definition of PFAS and Residual Thresholds

PFAS are defined as substances containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom.

The decree sets residual concentration thresholds below which products are considered compliant. These include:

• 25 ppb for any PFAS detected by targeted analysis, excluding polymers
• 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS measured by targeted analysis, excluding polymers
• 50 ppm for PFAS, including polymers

Where the total fluorine content exceeds 50 mg F/kg, operators must demonstrate whether the fluorine originates from PFAS or non-PFAS sources.

Exemptions and Derogations

The decree provides exemptions for specific uses, including personal protective equipment falling under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, equipment intended for defence, security, and civil protection purposes, and waterproofing agents used for re-waterproofing such equipment.

Additional exemptions apply where no suitable alternatives exist, particularly for industrial technical textiles, medical textiles, and equipment used in operations involving nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical threats.

Textiles and footwear containing at least 20% post-consumer recycled material are also exempt, provided the presence of PFAS is limited to the recycled fraction.

Extension of Restrictions from 2030

According to the French government, the PFAS restrictions will be extended from 1 January 2030 to cover all textiles containing PFAS, with limited exceptions for certain industrial technical textiles to be specified by decree.