New PFAS law, what obligations for the future?
On 20 February 2025, the French National Assembly adopted a law to limit the presence of PFAS. « eternal pollutants »in several products and to strengthen regulations on industrial discharges to water. Prohibition, taxation and enhanced monitoring of pollution: overview of new obligations to anticipate.
Obligations for industrialists:
On 1 January 2026, the manufacture, import and sale of certain products containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances) will be prohibited. This restriction applies in particular to the following products:
• oncosmetics,
• products offart(ski sole coatings),
• onclothing textiles, footwearand textile waterproofing agents intended for consumers.
An exception is provided for protective and security equipment used in the defence and civil security sectors.
From 1 January 2030, this ban will be extended to all textiles containing PFAS, with the exception of textiles necessary for industrial and sovereign uses for which no alternative exists.
The Act also introduces aenvironmental chargefor industrialists whose activities result in discharges of PFAS into water. From a threshold of 100 grams rejected per year, a tax of 100 € per 100 g of rejected PFAS will be applied. The stated objective is to completely eliminate these releases within five years.
Obligations for public authorities
Public authorities will need to strengthen environmental monitoring and management of PFAS. Health control of drinking water will now include mandatory monitoring of the presence of these substances. National mapping of PFAS emitters will be made available to the public and updated annually to better identify and control pollution sources. The government will also have to set maximum emission thresholds and implement appropriate clean-up measures.
To support this transition, an interdepartmental water pollution financing plan will be developed within one year of the enactment of the Act. It aims to support local communities in the management of drinking water and sanitation services, providing them with adequate resources and support.
With this law, France is positioning itself as a major player in the fight against eternal pollutants and anticipates the future regulation at EU level. The industry concerned must now anticipate regulatory developments in order to comply with the new obligations and avoid financial sanctions.