France Implements PFAS Ban in Cosmetics and Consumer Products 
Topic: PFAS RESTRICTION

Date of publication: 30 December 2025

France has implemented stricter restrictions on PFAS in consumer products, including cosmetics, establishing concentration thresholds and a limited stock clearance period, effective January 1, 2026.

What’s new?

The French Government published Décret n° 2025-1376 on December 30, 2025, providing the implementing provisions for Law n° 2025-188 of February 27, 2025 regarding protection of the population from risks related to per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). The decree establishes the technical framework for prohibiting the manufacture, importation, exportation, and placing on the market of products containing PFAS, due to their environmental persistence. 

The decree follows France’s commitment under the national PFAS action plan published in January 2024 and represents one of the strictest PFAS restriction in Europe, anticipating EU-wide measures under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. 

Key provisions:

The decree defines three concentration thresholds for determining compliance: 

Residual concentration limits: 

  • 25 ppb per individual PFAS substance 
  • 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS, excluding polymers 
  • 50 ppm for total PFAS, including polymers 

Additional control mechanism: 

  • If total fluorine content exceeds 50 ppm, authorities may require proof that the fluorine does not originate from PFAS. 

The restriction applies to intentionally added PFAS as well as residual contamination from manufacturing processes. 

What now?

Cosmetic manufacturers must ensure that all products placed on the French market after January 1, 2026 comply with the concentration threshold.  

Products manufactured before January 1, 2026 may continue to be placed on the market or exported until January 1, 2027.  

References:

Décret n° 2025-1376 du 28 décembre 2025 relatif à la prévention des risques résultant de l’exposition aux substances perfluoroalkylées et polyfluoroalkylées, Journal Officiel de la République Française n°0305 du 30 décembre 2025, Texte n° 6  

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