France To Ban Textiles & Apparel Containing PFAS Chemical
Textiles and apparels containing per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) also called ‘forever chemicals’ could soon face tight restrictions or bans in France.
The first draft of a bill banning certain products containing the harmful chemicals was approved unanimously by French MP’s earlier this week.
It particularly targets the manufacture, import and sale of textiles, apparels and cosmetics containing PFAS. However, protective clothing for safety workers is excluded from the ban.
PFAS is a family of around 10,000 chemical substances and are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ as they do not break down in the environment.
Due to their waterproof or stain repellent properties, they are commonly used in textiles but have also been linked to cancer, low birth weight and hormonal dysfunction along with many other health issues.
France could begin restricting products containing non-essential PFAS from January 2026 and the ban will be extended to all textiles by 2030.
The French bill also contains a ‘polluter pays’ principle, which would see producers being charged for the clean-up of chemical contamination in drinking water.
Denmark became the first country to ban PFAS chemicals in 2020 and in 2023 the US also proposed placing limits on PFAS chemicals.
