Overview
- France's National Assembly approved the bill with a vote of 231 to 51, following earlier Senate approval, but it still requires President Macron's signature to become law.
- The ban targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to severe health risks and environmental contamination due to their persistence in nature.
- The law prohibits the production, import, and sale of PFAS-containing products where safer alternatives exist, including cosmetics, ski wax, and most clothing.
- Drinking water will be subject to expanded testing for PFAS, building on EU regulations requiring checks for 20 types of these chemicals starting next year.
- A proposed ban on non-stick cookware was removed from the bill after lobbying by manufacturers, though other PFAS uses in consumer goods remain restricted.