France Enacts PFAS Ban: Restrictions on "Forever Chemicals" in Cosmetics to Take Effect from January 1, 2026

On February 27, 2025, the French Parliament officially passed Bill No. 2025-188, making France the second European country after Denmark to systematically regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These "forever chemicals," notorious for their extreme persistence in the environment and potential health risks, will face phased bans across French markets over the next five years.

Legislative Context and Objectives

PFAS represent a class of highly stable, non-degradable chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products, including non-stick coatings, food packaging, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and electronics. Recent studies have linked PFAS exposure to endocrine disruption, immune system impairment, and increased cancer risks. Responding to growing public concerns about PFAS contamination, the French government has moved to legislate restrictions protecting public health and environmental safety.

Key Provisions and Measures about Cosmetics

France will implement a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, import, export, and sale of cosmetics containing PFAS, effective January 1, 2026.

France's PFAS ban underscores its leadership in proactive environmental legislation. As the EU considers bloc-wide PFAS restrictions, France’s pioneering move may accelerate chemical regulation reforms across Europe. With the first bans taking effect in 2026, the global chemical industry faces transformative challenges in developing safer alternatives and adapting to evolving regulatory landscapes.

Safeguarding Future Health: Strictly Managing PFAS Risks

CIRS Testing is a wholly owned subsidiary of CIRS Group. Drawing on its nearly two decades of expertise in chemical risk assessment, along with its CNAS/CMA-accredited laboratories and global technical network, CIRS Testing is proud to introduce its PFAS-free Full-process Assessment Service, empowering companies to take the lead in compliance. CIRS Testing will guide you through every step-from precise testing and scientific evaluation to regulatory insights, compliance strategy, and final certification. This end-to-end service is designed to help your products overcome trade barriers and build lasting customer trust.

• Full Product Category Coverage: Our service supports PFAS testing across a wide range of product types, including food contact materials (e.g., packaging paper, coated tableware), textiles (e.g., waterproof jackets, outdoor gear), cosmetics (e.g., waterproof makeup), plastic products, and electronic device casings. This ensures precise alignment with PFAS regulatory requirements across diverse industries and application scenarios.
• High-Precision Testing: Equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced international analytical instruments such as LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, we offer detection limits as low as parts per billion (ppb). Our methods enable the accurate identification of a wide spectrum of high-risk PFAS substances, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS, ensuring the scientific integrity and reliability of “non-detect” results.
• Customized Compliance Solutions: In response to major global regulatory frameworks-such as the EU’s REACH Annex XVII PFAS restrictions, the U.S. EPA’s PFAS Action Plan, China’s List of Key Controlled New Pollutants, and Japan’s Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)-we provide an end-to-end service chain encompassing testing, regulatory interpretation, and risk assessment. This helps enterprises mitigate compliance risks arising from regulatory differences across regions.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.