The main provisions concerning environmental protection are included in the very comprehensive French Environmental Code. Chapter IV of Title II of Book V deals with the prevention of risks resulting from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Recently the French government adopted Law 2025-188 that supplements the requirements on certain products that contain PFAS.
Banned products
Per 1 January 2026
The production, import, export and marketing of the following PFAS-containing products are prohibited:
- Consumer textile clothing, footwear and waterproofing agents for these products.
- Cosmetic products.
- Wax products.
Per 1 January 2030
The ban is extended to all textile products containing PFAS.
PFAS Discharges
The same Law 2025-188 aims a progressive reduction of discharges of PFAS from industrial installations, ending these discharges into water within five years. A fee on manufacturers whose activities lead to PFAS discharge is introduced.
More details coming up
The following topics will addressed in more detail in upcoming decrees:
- Exceptions for textile clothing and footwear designed for the protection and safety of people, national defense or civil security missions.
- Exceptions for textile products for essential uses, national sovereignty and technical textiles for industrial use.
- The threshold concentration of acceptable residual values in products.
- The list of PFAS to which the discharge fee applies.
