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France Enacts 2026 Ban on PFAS in Cosmetics, Ski Wax and Apparel

France moves ahead of EU harmonization with an implementing decree that sets quantified limits alongside defined exemptions.

Overview

  • From 1 January 2026, France prohibits the manufacture, import, export and sale of PFAS‑containing cosmetics, ski waxes, apparel textiles, shoes and waterproofing agents under a decree implementing a February 2025 law.
  • New products made from 1 January must not exceed 25 parts per billion for any single PFAS, and the total PFAS content in a product must stay at or below 250 parts per billion.
  • Items manufactured before 1 January 2026 may continue to be placed on the market or exported for up to 12 months under a sell‑through provision.
  • Exemptions cover defense and civil security gear, industrial technical textiles and some medical textiles lacking substitutes, and PFAS in apparel or shoes with at least 20% post‑consumer recycled content is limited to the recycled fraction.
  • Food packaging and non‑stick cookware are not included in the national measure, and industry groups urge EU‑wide coordination as the European Commission prepares a consumer‑PFAS proposal expected in 2026.