Requirements by topic
| Topic | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food packagingLimit | Food-contact packaging may not be placed on the market if it contains PFAS at or above 25 ppb for any PFAS (targeted analysis, polymeric PFAS excluded), 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS (targeted analysis, with prior degradation of precursors where applicable, polymeric PFAS excluded), or 50 ppm for PFAS including polymeric PFAS.If total fluorine exceeds 50 mg/kg, the REACH manufacturer, importer or downstream user must on request give proof of fluorine content as PFAS or non-PFAS. Applies only where the PFAS content is not already prohibited by another Union act. Commission to evaluate by 12 August 2030 whether to amend or repeal the paragraph to avoid overlap with REACH, POPs or food contact rules. | August 12, 2026 | In force | Art. 5(5) |
| Food packagingBan | May not be placed on the market or used in paper and cardboard food contact materials within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 at or above the limits.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Articles placed on the market before 10 October 2026 are exempt. | October 10, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, paras. 1(c), 7 |
| Food packagingOther duty | Commission guidance on enforcement: with no harmonised EU method, authorities should test total fluorine first (below 50 mg/kg can be considered compliant), then use methods such as pyrolysis-GC/MS to show whether fluorine is organic, then direct TOP analysis to check the 25 ppb and 250 ppb limits.Non-binding. No stock exhaustion period: packaging placed on the market after 12 August 2026 must comply, packaging placed on the market before that date may remain, and there is no exception for recycled material. | June 5, 2026 | Applies | Commission Notice C(2026) 3702 final, section 5 |
| CosmeticsBan | May not be placed on the market or used in cosmetic products as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 at or above the limits.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Products placed on the market before 10 October 2026 are exempt. | October 10, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, paras. 1(e), 7 |
| Children's productsBan | The intentional use of PFAS in toys, components of toys or micro-structurally distinct parts of toys is prohibited.Derogation possible only if ECHA finds the use safe, no suitable alternatives exist and the substance is not prohibited in consumer articles under REACH (point 10). PFAS restrictions under REACH or the POPs Regulation take precedence (point 11). Toys placed on the market in conformity with Directive 2009/48/EC before 1 August 2030 may continue to be made available (Art. 57(1)). | August 1, 2030 | Scheduled | Annex II, chemical properties, point 5 (with points 10 and 11); Art. 57 |
| Apparel and textilesBan | May not be placed on the market or used in textiles, leather, furs and hides in clothing and related accessories for the general public, or in footwear for the general public, at or above the limits.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Articles placed on the market before 10 October 2026 are exempt (para. 7). Specified category III PPE, medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and construction textiles are exempt (para. 3). | October 10, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, paras. 1(a)-(b), 3, 7 |
| Textile furnishingsBan | May not be placed on the market or used in textiles, leather, furs and hides for the general public other than clothing and related accessories, such as curtains, blinds, upholstery and other textile coverings.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Articles placed on the market before 10 October 2027 are exempt (para. 8). The recitals list carpets, rugs, curtains, blinds, upholstery, textile wall covers and other coverings, including in transport, public places and offices. | October 10, 2027 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, paras. 2, 3, 8; recitals |
| Carpets and rugsBan | Consumer carpets and rugs fall under the 10 October 2027 restriction on textiles other than clothing for the general public.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Articles placed on the market before 10 October 2027 are exempt. | October 10, 2027 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, para. 2; recitals |
| Firefighting foamBan | The derogation allowing use of PFOA-containing firefighting foam already installed in systems for Class B fires ended on 3 December 2025.Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1399 (adopted 5 May 2025, OJ 14 July 2025): until 3 August 2028, foam already installed may contain up to 1 mg/kg PFOA and salts and 10 mg/kg PFOA-related compounds; fluorine-free foam from equipment cleaned using best available techniques may contain up to 10 mg/kg of the sum. | December 3, 2025 | In force | Annex I Part A, PFOA entry, points 4a, 4b, 6 |
| Firefighting foamBan | PFHxA, its salts and related substances may not be placed on the market or used in firefighting foams and foam concentrates for training and testing, or for public fire services.Same limits as the rest of entry 79 (25 ppb PFHxA and salts; 1,000 ppb related substances). Excludes functional testing of firefighting systems where all releases are contained, and public fire services intervening at industrial fires at Seveso (Directive 2012/18/EU) establishments using foam and equipment for that purpose only. | April 10, 2026 | In force | Annex XVII entry 79, para. 4 |
| Firefighting foamBan | Firefighting foams in portable fire extinguishers containing 1 mg/L or more of the sum of all PFAS may be placed on the market only until 23 October 2026.Alcohol-resistant foams in portable extinguishers may be placed on the market until 23 April 2027 (para. 5(b)). Use of foams in portable extinguishers is allowed until 31 December 2030 (para. 6(b)). The recitals describe these as 12 and 18 month transitional periods. | October 23, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 82, para. 5(a)-(b), 6(b) |
| Firefighting foamBan | Use of PFAS-containing foams (1 mg/L or more) for training and testing, and by public fire services and private services acting as public fire services, is allowed only until 23 April 2027.Excludes functional testing with contained releases. Public fire services may use such foams until 23 October 2035 when intervening at industrial fires at Seveso establishments, using foam and equipment for that purpose only. | April 23, 2027 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 82, para. 6(a) |
| Firefighting foamBan | May not be placed on the market or used in firefighting foams and foam concentrates for civil aviation, including civilian airports.25 ppb PFHxA and salts; 1,000 ppb related substances. | October 10, 2029 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, para. 5 |
| Firefighting foamBan | General prohibition: firefighting foams containing 1 mg/L or more of the sum of all PFAS may not be placed on the market or used as of 23 October 2030, including for civil aviation.Foam from equipment cleaned using best available techniques may contain up to 50 mg/L (not for portable extinguishers; Commission review by 23 October 2030). PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS (POPs Regulation), C9-C14 PFCAs (entry 68) and PFHxA uses under entry 79 are excluded from the prohibition but count toward the sum. | October 23, 2030 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 82, paras. 1-4 |
| Firefighting foamBan | Placing on the market and use of PFAS-containing foams are allowed until 23 October 2035 only for Seveso establishments (not civil aviation), offshore oil and gas installations, military vessels, and civilian ships with foam placed on board before 23 October 2025.Commission to review these derogations before they expire. | October 23, 2035 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 82, paras. 5(c), 6(c) |
| Firefighting foamUse limit | Users of PFAS-containing foams still allowed under the derogations must use them only on class B fires, minimise emissions and exposure, collect and destroy PFAS waste where possible, and keep a site PFAS-containing firefighting foams management plan with a substitution strategy.Plan reviewed annually and kept for at least 15 years for inspection. | October 23, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 82, para. 7 |
| Firefighting foamLabeling | PFAS-containing foams (1 mg/L or more) placed on the market, other than in portable extinguishers, must carry the label: WARNING: Contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with a concentration equal to or greater than 1 mg/L for the sum of all PFAS. Users must label unused stock and PFAS-containing waste, including wastewater, the same way.Label in the official language(s) of the Member State unless it provides otherwise; visible, legible and indelible. | October 23, 2026 | Starts | Annex XVII entry 82, paras. 8-10 |
| All productsBan | Proposed EU-wide restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFAS as substances, in mixtures and in articles, with time-limited derogations for specific uses.Law firm reports: RAC final opinion (2 March 2026) supports a broad restriction, with PPE and associated impregnating agents as its only endorsed derogation; SEAC's draft opinion, published by ECHA on 26 March 2026, favours time-limited derogations (for example for active substances in medicines) and sees no need for a food contact materials derogation. Nothing is binding until the Commission adopts a regulation through the REACH Committee. | Not confirmed | Proposed Secondary source | Annex XV report; RAC opinion; SEAC draft opinion |
| Other named productsBan | Manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds are prohibited, subject to trace limits and listed derogations.Trace limits: 0.025 mg/kg PFOA and salts; 1 mg/kg PFOA-related compounds; 2 mg/kg in non-invasive, non-implantable medical devices; 20 mg/kg related compounds in certain transported isolated intermediates. Articles in use before 4 July 2020 may still be used. Perfluorooctyl bromide for pharmaceuticals allowed subject to review by 31 December 2026. | July 4, 2020 | In force | Annex I Part A, PFOA entry (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/784, as amended) |
| Other named productsBan | Manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS-related compounds are prohibited, subject to trace limits.Trace limits: 0.025 mg/kg PFHxS and salts; 1 mg/kg sum of related compounds; 0.1 mg/kg in concentrated firefighting foam mixtures used to make other foam mixtures (review due by 28 August 2026). Listed by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608, published 8 August 2023 and applicable 20 days later. | August 28, 2023 | In force | Annex I Part A, PFHxS entry |
| Other named productsBan | Manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFOS, its salts and PFOS-related compounds are prohibited; from 3 December 2025 the trace contaminant exemption covers only 0.025 mg/kg for PFOS and its salts and 1 mg/kg for the sum of PFOS-related compounds.Set by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/718 (adopted 14 April 2025, OJ 27 June 2025), which also deleted the derogation for PFOS as mist suppressant in hard chromium plating. Articles in use before 25 August 2010 may still be used. | December 3, 2025 | In force | Annex I Part A, PFOS entry, points 1-3 |
| Other named productsBan | May not be placed on the market or used in mixtures for the general public (consumer mixtures) at or above the limits.Limits: 25 ppb for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for the sum of PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. Mixtures placed on the market before 10 October 2026 are exempt. | October 10, 2026 | Scheduled | Annex XVII entry 79, paras. 1(d), 7 |
| Drinking waterLimit | Member States must ensure drinking water meets 0.10 µg/l for Sum of PFAS (20 listed PFAS) and 0.50 µg/l for PFAS Total.PFAS Total applies only once Commission technical guidelines exist; Member States may use either or both parameters. | January 12, 2026 | In force | Art. 25(1); Annex I Part B |
The instruments
European Union
REACH restriction on PFHxA, its salts and related substances
- Citation
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462 of 19 September 2024 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) as regards PFHxA, its salts and PFHxA-related substances (entry 79)
- Enacted by
- Annex XVII entry 79; CELEX 32024R2462; OJ L 2024/2462 of 20.9.2024
- Enacted or adopted
- September 19, 2024
- Status
- Partly in force
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2462/oj/eng
How it defines PFAS
PFHxA-related substances are substances that, based on their molecular structure, are considered to have the potential to degrade or be transformed to PFHxA
Exemptions
- Personal protective equipment against risks in category III, points (a), (c) to (f), (h) and (l) of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (paras. 1 and 2 only)
- Medical devices (Regulation (EU) 2017/745) and in vitro diagnostic devices (Regulation (EU) 2017/746)
- Construction textiles
- Articles and mixtures placed on the market before 10 October 2026 (para. 1) or before 10 October 2027 (para. 2)
- Substances with a C6F13- group attached to a sulphur atom that are prohibited under the POPs Regulation (para. 6)
- Functional testing of firefighting systems with contained releases; public fire services at Seveso industrial fires (para. 4)
European Union
REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foams
- Citation
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 of 2 October 2025 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) as regards per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in firefighting foams (entry 82)
- Enacted by
- Annex XVII entry 82; CELEX 32025R1988; OJ L 2025/1988 of 3.10.2025
- Enacted or adopted
- October 2, 2025
- Status
- Enacted, not yet in effect
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1988/oj/eng
How it defines PFAS
any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3) or methylene (CF2) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it)
Exemptions
- PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS and related compounds covered by the POPs Regulation
- C9-C14 PFCAs restricted under entry 68
- PFHxA uses restricted under entry 79
- Functional testing of firefighting systems where all releases are contained
- Up to 50 mg/L PFAS in fluorine-free foam from equipment cleaned using best available techniques (not portable extinguishers)
European Union
Universal PFAS restriction proposal under REACH
- Citation
- Annex XV restriction proposal on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prepared by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
- Enacted by
- ECHA registry of restriction intentions, PFAS
- Status
- Proposed
- Source
- https://echa.europa.eu/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e18663449b
European Union
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), PFAS limits for food-contact packaging
- Citation
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, Article 5(5)
- Enacted by
- CELEX 32025R0040; OJ L 2025/40 of 22.1.2025
- Enacted or adopted
- December 19, 2024
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj/eng
How it defines PFAS
any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it), except substances that only contain the following structural elements: CF3-X or X-CF2-X'
Exemptions
- Packaging placed on the market before 12 August 2026 may remain on the market (Commission Notice C(2026) 3702)
European Union
Toy Safety Regulation
- Citation
- Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC
- Enacted by
- CELEX 32025R2509; OJ L 2025/2509 of 12.12.2025
- Enacted or adopted
- November 26, 2025
- Status
- Partly in force
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/2509/oj/eng
How it defines PFAS
any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it)
Exemptions
- Toys placed on the market in conformity with Directive 2009/48/EC before 1 August 2030
- Case-by-case derogations meeting the point 10 conditions
European Union
POPs Regulation entries for PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS
- Citation
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (recast), Annex I Part A
- Enacted by
- CELEX 32019R1021 (consolidated version 02019R1021-20260101)
- Enacted or adopted
- June 20, 2019
- Last amended
- November 26, 2025
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02019R1021-20260101
Exemptions
- Articles already in use before the listing dates (PFOS: 25 August 2010; PFOA: 4 July 2020)
- PFOA: perfluorooctyl bromide containing perfluorooctyl iodide for pharmaceutical production, subject to review
- Trace contaminant limits listed in each entry
European Union
Drinking Water Directive PFAS parameters
- Citation
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast), Article 25(1) and Annex I Part B
- Enacted by
- CELEX 32020L2184
- Enacted or adopted
- December 16, 2020
- Status
- In force
- Source
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2020/2184/oj/eng
Pending rules and decisions
- ECHA universal PFAS restriction (Annex XV report): Restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under REACH
RAC final opinion adopted; SEAC draft opinion consulted on; SEAC final opinion expected by end of 2026, then Commission draft and REACH Committee vote (secondary sources) (May 25, 2026)
EU-wide restriction of PFAS in all uses with time-limited derogations. RAC opinion adopted 2 March 2026; SEAC draft agreed 10 March 2026; consultation on the SEAC draft ran 26 March to 25 May 2026. Source - C(2026) 6059 final (Council document 12846/26): Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as regards long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds
Adopted by the Commission on 7 September 2026 and sent to the Council and Parliament for objection scrutiny; not yet published in the Official Journal (September 7, 2026)
Lists C9-C21 PFCAs, their salts and related compounds in POPs Annex I Part A, applying from 16 December 2026. Sets trace limits (including 0.025 mg/kg for the sum of C15-C21 PFCAs and salts), temporary separate limits for PTFE micropowders valid until 16 December 2030, firefighting foam trace limits valid until 3 August 2028, and a semiconductor spare part exemption for C15-C21 PFCAs. Source
Timeline
- January 13, 2023 Update
Five national authorities submitted the universal PFAS restriction proposal to ECHA (reported by law firms). Source - March 22, 2023 Update
ECHA opened the consultation on the universal PFAS restriction proposal, open until 25 September 2023. Source - June 7, 2023 Update
SEAC adopted its opinion on restricting PFAS in firefighting foams. Source - August 8, 2023 Amended
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608 adding PFHxS to the POPs Regulation was published. Source - September 19, 2024 Enacted
Commission adopted the PFHxA restriction, Regulation (EU) 2024/2462. Source - October 10, 2024 Update
The PFHxA restriction entered into force, with application dates from 2026. Source - December 19, 2024 Enacted
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 was adopted. Source - February 11, 2025 Update
The PPWR entered into force, applying from 12 August 2026. Source - June 27, 2025 Amended
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/718 lowering PFOS trace limits was published. Source - July 14, 2025 Amended
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1399 amending the PFOA entry was published. Source - October 2, 2025 Enacted
Commission adopted the PFAS firefighting foam restriction, Regulation (EU) 2025/1988. Source - October 23, 2025 Update
The firefighting foam restriction entered into force. Source - November 26, 2025 Enacted
The Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 was adopted. Source - December 3, 2025 Took effect
Lower PFOS trace limits applied and the PFOA derogation for installed firefighting foam ended. Source - January 1, 2026 Update
The Toy Safety Regulation entered into force; its PFAS ban applies from 1 August 2030. Source - January 12, 2026 Took effect
Drinking Water Directive PFAS limits became applicable. Source - March 2, 2026 Update
RAC adopted its final opinion on the universal PFAS restriction (reported by law firms). Source - March 26, 2026 Update
Consultation on the SEAC draft opinion opened, closing 25 May 2026 (reported by law firms). Source - April 10, 2026 Took effect
PFHxA restriction applied to firefighting foams for training, testing and public fire services. Source - June 5, 2026 Rule
Commission adopted PPWR guidance C(2026) 3702 with PFAS testing advice. Source - August 12, 2026 Took effect
PPWR PFAS limits for food-contact packaging began to apply. Source - September 7, 2026 Rule
Commission adopted a delegated regulation listing long-chain PFCAs under the POPs Regulation. Source