EU Tightens PFAS Regulations, Restricting Cosmetics, Clothing and Other Goods

AMZ123 has learned from recent foreign media reports that new EU restrictions on certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) officially took effect on day 10 of month 10 in year 2026, covering cosmetics, clothing, footwear, food packaging and various other everyday consumer goods. The production and sale of relevant products will face stricter requirements, and products exceeding specified concentrations will be prohibited from sale.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals comprising thousands of different compounds and have long been used in multiple industrial sectors. These substances have distinctive carbon-fluorine bonds that enable them to withstand high temperatures, water and grease, so they are commonly used in products requiring water-resistant, oil-resistant or nonstick properties. For example, these substances may be used in the nonstick coatings of some frying pans, air fryers and other kitchenware, as well as in some cosmetics.

However, the stability of PFAS also creates environmental problems. Because they are difficult to break down in the natural environment, some of these substances may persist for long periods in soil, bodies of water and other environments, while others accumulate in organisms. They are therefore known as "forever chemicals."

Germany's Federal Environment Agency has repeatedly stated that the use of PFAS needs to be regulated. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the better-known substances in this group, was already subject to strict EU restrictions as early as 2020, and most of its uses have effectively been phased out.

The new rules further tighten controls on certain PFAS substances. Under Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, the two-year transition period for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances ended on day 10 of month 10 in year 2026, and the relevant restrictions officially took effect.

Under the rules, products in which the concentration of PFHxA and its salts reaches or exceeds 25 ppb (parts per billion) will be subject to the relevant sales restrictions; for related substances, the applicable concentration threshold is 1000 ppb.

In terms of the specific goods affected, the new rules cover several everyday consumer sectors. Cosmetics are among them, including products such as liquid foundation, mascara and face cream. The relevant substances may previously have been used to improve product smoothness and water resistance. Clothing, footwear and consumer accessories are also affected, especially rain jackets, outdoor clothing and spray-on waterproofing treatments.

In addition, paper products used for food packaging fall within the scope of the restrictions, including pizza boxes, fast-food paper bags and grease-resistant baking paper. Certain mixtures sold to consumers are also subject to restrictions, including common waterproofing agents and sealants.

It is important to note that these EU restrictions target specific PFAS substances and their concentrations, rather than directly banning entire product categories. In other words, the use of a nonstick coating on a piece of cookware does not necessarily mean that it violates the new rules. Likewise, whether cosmetics, outdoor clothing or food packaging are subject to restrictions must be determined based on the specific chemicals used and their concentrations.

Meanwhile, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is assessing whether broader restrictions on the entire class of PFAS substances are necessary. This means that EU regulation of these chemicals may tighten further.

For manufacturers and sellers of relevant products, promptly checking product formulations, raw materials and the concentrations of relevant substances will be an important task in addressing current requirements and future regulatory changes.

Author✎ Summer/AMZ123
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