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Cosmetics and clothes made with PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have officially been banned in France. This follows mounting concern over the adverse health impacts of these persistent pollutants. The landmark bill was passed on February 20, 2025, with more than 140,000 citizens calling on their MPs to support the ban. While it has been hailed for protecting the health of French citizens, environmentalists warn that items removed from the first draft bill have weakened its significance.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals that take thousands of years to degrade naturally. Used since the 1940s, PFAS have been found virtually everywhere on Earth. Chronic exposure to these human-made chemicals has been linked to the promotion of certain cancers, reduced fertility and disruption of the immune system. Scientists warn that these toxic chemicals can be inhaled or ingested, with more recent research discovering they can even enter our blood by being absorbed by the skin.
France’s ban prohibits the sale, production, or import of any product for which an alternative to PFAS already exists. This includes cosmetics, clothing, and other items such as ski wax. The bill will also require French authorities to regularly test drinking water for all kinds of PFAS and take steps towards fining polluters emitting these chemicals into the environment.
There are notable exceptions to the ban, however, for high-performance membranes used in filtration or separation processes, and textiles deemed “necessary for essential use” or national sovereignty.
There has also been growing pressure on the EU to phase out its use. In Europe, an estimated 12.5 million people live in communities with drinking water contaminated with PFAS. The EU says it has been working on a plan to phase out PFAS for the last couple of years. It has not yet presented or implemented such a regulation.
SOURCE: euronews.com