France is moving ahead with one of the world’s toughest crackdowns on “forever chemicals,” with a new law banning most PFAS in cosmetics and clothing set to take effect in January 2026. The shift will hit beauty, fashion, and outdoor brands that rely on PFAS-based waterproofing and stain-resistant treatments, and it will likely accelerate reformulation across Europe and beyond.
What PFAS Are And Why They Matter
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic chemicals used since the late 1940s to make non-stick, waterproof, and stain-repellent coatings for everything from frying pans to umbrellas, carpets, and even dental floss. Because they hardly break down in nature, they accumulate in soil and groundwater and have now been detected everywhere from Mount Everest to human blood and brain tissue.
Long-term exposure, even at low levels, has been linked to liver damage, higher cholesterol, weakened immune response, low birth weights, and several cancers. These risks, combined with their persistence, are why PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” and why regulators are now targeting them in consumer products.
Inside France’s 2026 PFAS Ban
In February 2025, French lawmakers approved a law that bans the production, import, and sale of products containing PFAS where safer alternatives exist, effective January 2026. The law covers cosmetics, ski wax, and clothing treated with PFAS, while carving out exceptions for some “essential” industrial textiles.
A proposed ban on non-stick saucepans was removed from the final text after lobbying by Tefal, the French cookware manufacturer, so PFAS-coated pans are not immediately included. The law also requires regular testing of drinking water in France for different PFAS compounds, tightening oversight of contamination.
Global Context From the US To Denmark
There are thousands of PFAS, and some have been restricted globally under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which has more than 150 signatory countries but does not include China or the United States. Among those banned are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long used by DuPont in non-stick Teflon coatings, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), widely used by 3M as a waterproofing agent and heavily restricted since 2009.
In the United States, several states, including California, have passed bans on intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics starting in 2025, with more states expected to follow by 2026. Denmark will ban PFAS in clothing, footwear, and certain waterproofed consumer products from July 1, 2026, and has already restricted PFAS in packaging since 2020.
What This Means For Beauty And Fashion Brands
For beauty brands selling into France, PFAS-based “long wear,” “waterproof,” or “smudge proof” formulations will need to be reformulated or withdrawn from the French market by 2026. Fashion and outdoor labels that rely on PFAS for durable water repellent finishes on jackets, skiwear, and performance apparel will also need alternative chemistries that meet the same performance claims without PFAS.
Because the European Union is reviewing a broader PFAS restriction in consumer products, this French law could act as a preview of stricter EU-wide rules, pushing global brands to adopt PFAS-free formulas as the new baseline. Retailers and shoppers are likely to see clearer PFAS-related marketing claims, more “PFAS-free” labels, and rising demand for third-party verification of chemical safety.
Key Takeaways For Retail And Beauty Leaders
- Compliance timelines: Any brand planning 2026 launches in France must ensure new cosmetics and PFAS-treated clothing are reformulated in advance, including private label and white label products.
- Supply chain pressure: Ingredient suppliers and mills will face pressure to scale alternative waterproofing and stain-resistant chemistries, potentially raising short-term costs but opening premium “cleaner tech” positioning.
Marketing and transparency: As PFAS regulation spreads from France to US states and Denmark, clear communication on chemical policies will become a competitive differentiator for beauty, fashion, and outdoor brands.
