France Bans “Forever Chemicals” in Cosmetics and Clothing

France is enacting a groundbreaking ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” starting Thursday. This legislation prohibits the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing items containing these potentially harmful compounds, marking a significant step towards protecting public health and the environment.

PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals introduced in the late 1940s, prized for their ability to create non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant surfaces. They’ve become ubiquitous in countless everyday products, from cookware and umbrellas to carpets and even dental floss. Their widespread use, however, comes at a cost, as these chemicals are incredibly persistent in the environment.

The nickname “forever chemicals” is well-earned; PFAS don’t readily break down and have consequently contaminated soil, groundwater, and ultimately, the food chain and drinking water supplies. Disturbingly, PFAS have been detected in virtually every corner of the globe, including remote locations like the summit of Mount Everest, and within the bodies of humans and animals.

Scientific research has increasingly linked chronic exposure to even low levels of PFAS to a range of adverse health effects. These include liver damage, elevated cholesterol levels, weakened immune system responses, lower birth weights, and an increased risk of several types of cancer. The health concerns surrounding PFAS are a primary driver behind the growing movement to regulate and eliminate their use.

The French law, passed by lawmakers in February, takes a phased approach. Beginning January 2026, the production, import, and sale of products containing PFAS will be prohibited if viable alternatives exist. This initially includes cosmetics and ski wax, alongside most clothing, with limited exceptions for “essential” industrial textiles. Notably, a proposed ban on non-stick saucepans was removed following strong opposition from manufacturers like Tefal.

Alongside the ban, the French government will also implement regular testing of drinking water sources to monitor PFAS levels and ensure public safety. This proactive measure aims to identify and address potential contamination issues promptly.

While some PFAS have been restricted under the 2019 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the global response remains fragmented. Over 150 countries have signed the convention, but key players like China and the United States are not among them. The convention specifically targets chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), historically used by DuPont in its Teflon coating, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), utilized by 3M as a waterproofing agent.

The United States is seeing increasing action at the state level. California has already implemented a ban on the intentional use of PFAS in cosmetics, effective in 2025, with several other states planning similar measures by 2026. Denmark is also taking a strong stance, with a ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and waterproofed consumer products scheduled for July 1, 2026, building on a 2020 ban on PFAS in food packaging.

At the European Union level, a comprehensive ban on PFAS in consumer products is under consideration, but no concrete regulations have been finalized or implemented yet. The French legislation, alongside the actions of individual states like California and Denmark, is putting pressure on the EU to accelerate its regulatory process.