France Moves Toward PFAS Ban in Consumer Goods

The French National Assembly passed a bill aimed at banning harmful PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from various consumer products. The Greens party proposed the legislation, which received strong support with a vote of 231 to 51. The bill will now undergo final procedural steps, including a constitutional review, before being signed into law by President Emmanuel Macron.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Ban on PFAS in Consumer Goods: The bill mandates a ban on the manufacture, import, export, and marketing of cosmetics, footwear, textiles, and ski wax containing PFAS, set to take effect in 2026. By 2030, all textiles containing PFAS will be prohibited, with exceptions for protective clothing for safety and civil security professionals.
• PFAS Monitoring and Fees: The legislation also adds PFAS to the list of substances monitored in drinking water and imposes a €100 fee per 100 kg of PFAS emitted by companies into the environment.

PFAS Cookware Exclusion and Industry Lobbying

Originally, the bill proposed banning PFAS-containing cookware, but this provision was removed following heavy lobbying from industry groups. Notably, Groupe SEB, the maker of Tefal frying pans, mobilized its employees to protest the measure.

Comparison with EU-wide PFAS Restrictions

While this French law addresses PFAS in specific consumer goods, the European Union is working on broader restrictions. A proposed EU-wide ban, which includes cookware, is expected to be finalized by 2030, potentially superseding national laws like France's.

Global Context: Denmark's PFAS Measures

France is the second EU nation to take action against PFAS. Denmark implemented a ban on PFAS in food packaging in 2020 and will extend the ban to consumer clothing, footwear, and waterproofing products by July 2026.