France bans PFAS in cosmetics: what changes from 2026

A new regulatory intervention once again puts the spotlight on PFAS ( per- and polyfluoroalkyl ) substances, a large family of chemical compounds that have long been the subject of regulatory scrutiny. This time, the measure concerns the French market and directly affects the cosmetics sector.

With Law No. 2025-188 of 27 February 2025 , which came into force on 1 January 2026 , the French State introduced a ban on the manufacture, import, export and placing on the market of cosmetic products containing PFAS , beyond specific residual limits.

In detail, only levels lower than:

• 25 ppb for each single PFAS detected by targeted analysis (excluding polymers);

• 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS measured as a total of the targeted analyses, with possible degradation of the precursors (excluding polymers);

• 50 ppm for PFAS including polymers, with a requirement to justify the source of fluorine when total fluorine exceeds 50 mg F/kg .

A transitional phase is foreseen: non-compliant products manufactured before 1 January 2026 will be able to be marketed in France until 1 January 2027 .

A national, not European, standard

It should be emphasized that the provision applies exclusively to the French market and has no effect in Italy or other EU countries. This represents a further example of regulatory fragmentation within the European Union , potentially conflicting with the principle of free movement of goods.

Limited impact for Italian companies

Fortunately, the impact on the Italian cosmetics industry is expected to be virtually zero. Although PFAS are not formally banned in cosmetics at the European level, their use has virtually disappeared in recent years.

The reasons are many:

• the progressive restrictions introduced in foreign markets (such as the recent ban in Washington State with the entry into force of the TFCA Act on January 1, 2025);

• Above all, the recommendation published in October 2023 by Cosmetics Europe , addressed to all companies in the sector, which called for the gradual and voluntary elimination of intentionally added PFAS, setting the goal of completely phasing them out of formulations by 2025.

Where to focus your attention today

In light of this scenario, the focus for companies must shift almost exclusively to:

• traces of PFAS as technically unavoidable impurities , deriving from raw materials;

• the possible migration of substances from plastic packaging to the cosmetic product.

The recommendation therefore remains that of:

• carefully select raw materials based on quality and available documentation;

• collect comprehensive information on impurity and migration data from packaging materials.

A preventative and documented approach remains, now more than ever, the best tool to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the value of cosmetic products on the international market.