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France: New PFAS limits are now finalised

January 2026 - hardlines, softlines, toys and children's products

The French Government has published the decree No. 2025-1376 of 28 December 20251 to implement details of a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ban on certain products. The decree defines the limit value of PFAS and products which can be exempted from the ban. The ban took effect on 1 January 2026. Products manufactured before this date have a 12-month clearance period, including placing on the market or exporting.

As we reported earlier2, France published a PFAS ban on certain products via decree No. 2025-188 of 27 February 2025.

From 1 January 2026, the following cannot be sold in France if they contain PFAS:

  1. Cosmetics;
  2. Wax products;
  3. Textile clothing, footwear, and waterproofing agents for these items (batch 1)

From 1 January 2030, all textile products containing PFAS will be banned, except for essential uses (batch 2). 

Here are the details of the French decree No. 2025-1376 of 28 December 2025:

A) Definitions:
PFAS are chemicals widely used for water and stain resistance. They are very persistent in the environment and can pose health risks. The French decree states the definition of PFAS aligns with the EU REACH Universal PFAS proposal: any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom, without any attached hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atoms

The decree also states the definition of "placing on the market", it refers the act of supplying a product or making it available to a third party for the first time, whether for consideration or free of charge. Any import is considered equivalent to placing on the market. 

B) Limit values
The ban applies if PFAS levels exceed these limits:

  • 25 parts per billion (ppb) for any PFAS measured by a targeted analysis, excluding polymers; 
  • 250 ppb for the total PFAS measured as the sum of targeted analyses of PFAS, where appropriate, with prior degradation of precursors, but excluding polymers;
  • 50 ppm for PFAS, including polymers. If the total fluorine exceeds 50 mg/kg, companies must prove whether it comes from PFAS or other sources upon request.

Note: These values are subject to revision in the event of changes to the technical specifications provided for in application of REACH and POPs Regulations.

C) List of exempted products
Batch 1's exemptions (Beginning from 1 January 2026)
These items are exempt from the initial ban on consumer clothing, footwear, and waterproofing agents: 

  • All personal protective equipment (PPE) covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and PPE used for combat and safety gear for the armed forces, internal security and civil security;
  • Waterproofing sprays or agents specifically used to maintain the gear mentioned above.
  • Clothing or shoes containing at least 20% recycled material from post-consumer waste.
    • Note: PFAS is only allowed in the recycled portion of the product. This means the total amount of PFAS in the final product must match the percentage of recycled material used.

Batch 2's exemptions (Beginning from 1 January 2030)

When the ban expands to all textile products (e.g., home furniture or upholstery) in 2030, the following items will be exempted:

  • Technical textiles for industrial uses;
  • The following will be exempted only if no PFAS-free alternative exists:
    • All personal protective equipment (PPE) covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and PPE used for combat and safety gear for the armed forces, internal security and civil security;
    • Equipment present in combat systems for operations involving nuclear, radiological, biological, or chemical threats;
    • Sanitary textiles used for medical care; 
    • The same 20% recycled material described in Batch 1 continues to apply to all textile products.

 

References:

[1] Decree No. 2025-1376 of 28 December 2025

[2] TÜV SÜD E-ssentials, March 2025

 

 

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