Key takeaways on France ‘forever chemicals’ ban
- France’s PFAS ban for cosmetics took effect in January 2026.
- The law targets ‘forever chemicals’ linked to serious health risks.
- Manufacturers must switch to PFAS-free alternatives where available.
- Regular water testing and industrial discharge charges are mandated.
In February 2025, France’s National Assembly adopted a bill to outlaw the production, import or sale of cosmetics containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the French law came into effect in January 2026.
It bans the production, import or sale of any cosmetic product for which an alternative to PFAS already exists. It will also require French authorities to regularly test drinking water for all kinds of PFAS.
Health risks linked to ‘forever chemicals’
PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used for nearly a century in a variety of products across numerous FMCG categories, including beauty and personal care.
The chemicals take an extremely long time to break down, hence the nickname ‘forever chemicals’. They have infiltrated the soil and groundwater and are now present in drinking water and throughout the food chain.
Multiple studies show that chronic exposure to even low levels of these chemicals has been linked to a variety of health issues, including high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights, liver damage and several kinds of cancer.
The new bill bans the use of PFAS in cosmetics and imposes a charge on industrial water discharges under the ‘polluter pays’ principle. French authorities are now legally required to regularly test drinking water to monitor for all kinds of PFAS.
A study undertaken in January 2025 found a type of PFAS linked to health problems and birth defects in tap water in many cities and towns across France.
Europe’s growing push for PFAS-free consumer products
The European Union has also been considering a possible ban on the use of PFAS in consumer products but has not yet implemented a regulation.
In September 2025, non-profit the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) released a report stating that around 23,000 sites across Europe are contaminated by “forever chemicals”, and 12.5 million Europeans live in communities with drinking water polluted by PFAS.