On 4 April 2024, French MPs have passed the first reading of a bill targeting the restriction of non-essential products containing PFAS, known as "forever chemicals." Despite initial plans to include cookware, protests from manufacturers led to its exclusion from the list.
During a vibrant session at the National Assembly in Paris, Ecologists MP Nicolas Thierry spearheaded the approval process. The unanimous vote by the National Assembly committee, with 186 in favour, set a precedent for future environmental policies.
Bill Highlights
Introduced by Nicolas Thierry, the bill proposes a ban starting 1 January 2026, on the manufacture, import, and sale of cosmetics, ski waxes, and clothing textiles containing PFAS. Protective clothing for safety and civil security professionals remains exempt. By 1 January 2030, the manufacture and sale of all textiles with PFAS will be prohibited. However, due to employment concerns voiced by right-wing and majority MPs, kitchen utensils were notably removed from the ban list.
The kitchenware sector, represented by SEB, raised alarms over potential job losses at their regional plants, specifically those producing Tefal frying pans, predicting a dire impact on some 3,000 positions. This led to a demonstration by several hundred SEB employees near the French Parliament, protesting the bill's implications.
Environmental Progress
This legislative action marks a vital step in combating the pervasive issue of PFAS chemicals, renowned for their durability and environmental persistence. The bill not only phases out PFAS in consumer products but also sets a complete ban on PFAS in textiles by 2030, reinforcing France's commitment to safeguarding environmental and human health.
The Broader Strategy
The "Plan d'actions ministériel sur les PFAS" from January 2023 outlines France's robust strategy against PFAS, focusing on understanding, regulating, and ultimately diminishing the presence of these chemicals. It emphasizes setting standards for PFAS concentrations, enhancing surveillance and research, and advocating for a European-wide ban on PFAS.
