Last year, France’s National Assembly approved a bill “to outlaw the production, import, or sale of cosmetics containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),” and that law came into effect this month, February 2026. This means that any cosmetics that use PFAS instead of alternatives that already exist will be included in the ban which also applies to fabrics for clothing and footwear. Additionally, the bill also requires PFAS testing to be conducted regularly on drinking water in the country.
Since the late 1940s, PFAS have been used as treatments that can produce non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant properties. They are called “forever chemicals” because they take an extremely long time to break down. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS have been found in soil and groundwater across the world. These chemicals then enter the food chain and drinking water, which can lead to many health issues in both humans and animals. These health issues include high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights, liver damage, and several forms of cancer.
A report released by the Health and Environmental Alliance nonprofit highlights how widespread the issue of PFAS contamination is. The study stated that around 23,000 water sources in Europe alone are contaminated, meaning over 12.5 million Europeans are drinking water polluted by PFAS.
According to the French Association of Beauty Companies (La FEBEA), “the French cosmetic industry is worth over €30 billion per year”. La FEBEA has welcomed the ban, saying it has a “strong and long-standing commitment to the progressive elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl ingredients”. In cosmetics, PFAS can be found in “skincare, toiletries, haircare, perfumes, fragrances, and decorative cosmetics”. This ban will likely force many companies to reformulate products, especially ones that claim to be “long-lasting”, “waterproof”, and “smudge-proof”.
The European Union has also been considering a widespread ban on the use of PFAS. Denmark’s ban of PFAS in “clothing, footwear, and certain consumer products with waterproofing agents” will begin later this year on July 1, 2026. New Zealand has also issued a ban on PFAS in cosmetics that is expected to take effect by the end of 2026.
Thousands of PFAS were already banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2019, but the United States was notably absent from the list of signatories. However, California implemented their own ban on PFAS in cosmetics last year, and other states are predicted to follow in 2026. Similar to microplastics, PFAS have found their way to every corner of the world and into the bodies of pretty much everyone on Earth. Bans on these chemicals will ensure that no new PFAS are introduced into the environment and ensure work is done to limit the impact of existing PFAS on the environment and human health.
