Yesterday, France has taken a significant step in addressing the widespread environmental and health concerns associated with “forever chemicals” by passing a new bill to restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of consumer products. The French National Assembly approved the bill, put forward by the Greens, with a decisive vote of 231 to 51, following the Senate’s approval last year.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been in use since the late 1940s, prized for their ability to create non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant coatings for a wide range of products, from frying pans to umbrellas, clothing, and even ski wax. These substances are known for their persistence in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals” due to their extremely slow degradation. As a result, PFAS have contaminated soil, groundwater, food, and drinking water. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, has been linked to a variety of health issues, including liver damage, cancer, reduced immune response, and developmental problems in babies.
The new French law will come into effect in January 2026, prohibiting the production, import, or sale of products containing PFAS where alternatives are available. This includes cosmetics, clothing, and ski wax.
The issue of PFAS contamination is widespread. A study released in January found that these chemicals, linked to birth defects and other health problems, were present in the tap water of numerous French cities, including Paris. Meanwhile, research in Austria in 2023 revealed that ski wax containing PFAS was contaminating both snow and soil in remote Alpine areas, further highlighting the global scale of the problem.
This comes as the European Commission plans to propose a ban on the use of PFAS in consumer products, which are often referred to as ‘permanent chemicals’ because of the environmental and health risks they pose.
