France passed a law on Thursday banning the use of so-called “forever chemicals” in cosmetics and clothing.
Forever chemicals, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are chemicals that do not break down in the natural environment and can be harmful to human health and the environment.
The law, which is to take effect at the beginning of 2026, bans the manufacture, import, export and sale of cosmetic products, clothing and shoes containing PFAS.
The ban also extends to wax products that contain PFAS substances, for example those used to wax skis, but does not cover protective clothing and footwear such as that worn by security guards and firefighters.
PFAS include more than 10,000 different chemicals, many of which are highly toxic and can accumulate and persist for extremely long periods of time. The substances are suspected of causing liver damage as well as kidney and testicular cancer.
Due to their unique characteristics, they are used in many products, from clothing to cooking utensils and carpets.
The new law also includes the obligation to check in future for the presence of forever chemicals in drinking water, following warnings from environmentalists and members of the water industry that PFAS can be detected in tap water.
The government plans to propose updated health standards regarding forever chemicals in drinking water within the next year.
Initially the ban was also to apply to kitchen utensils, but was watered down after French manufacturers raised concerns that such a ban would result in job losses.
Just over a year ago, New Zealand became one of the first countries in the world to ban forever chemicals in cosmetics from the end of 2026.
The European Union has already restricted the use of a subgroup of PFAS and is discussing a broader ban with some exceptions. Industry associations have warned that this could threaten high-tech industries.
