On 3 October 2025, the European Commission adopted new measures restricting the use of PFAS in firefighting foams.
PFAS use is one of the major sources of environmental pollution in the European Union. To protect human health and the environment, the Commission introduced new measures to restrict the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) under the REACH Regulation.
This restriction aims to minimise PFAS emissions and prevent the release of approximately 470 tonnes of PFAS into the environment each year. According to the Commission’s announcement, this measure will help reduce soil and water contamination while also protecting firefighters from exposure to PFAS-containing foams.
Based on the scientific assessment of the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) committees, the restriction includes specific transition periods to allow industry to switch to PFAS-free alternatives, which are stated in the related Regulation.
The new regulation will officially enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will become applicable following transition periods ranging from 12 months to 10 years, depending on the use, providing sufficient time for the replacement with safer and more effective alternatives.
You can review the Comission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 below.
