PFAS RegulationsState, federal and global register
Verified September 28, 2026

International

New Zealand PFAS Rules

New Zealand bans PFAS in cosmetics under an amended group standard that commenced January 1, 2026. Import and manufacture are allowed until December 31, 2026 and supply until December 31, 2027.

Verified September 28, 20261 instrument tracked2 provisions

Requirements by topic

TopicRequirementEffectiveStatusSource
CosmeticsBanCosmetic products containing PFAS may not be imported into or manufactured in New Zealand. The amended group standard commenced January 1, 2026 and allows import and manufacture until December 31, 2026.The amendment commenced 1 January 2026. PFAS are listed in Schedule 4, Table 2, entry 2.January 1, 2027ScheduledSchedule 4, Table 2, entry 2; transitional clause 4(a)
CosmeticsBanCosmetic products containing PFAS may not be supplied in New Zealand. Supply is allowed until December 31, 2027, and remaining stock must be disposed of by June 30, 2028.All cosmetic products containing PFAS must be disposed of by 30 June 2028.January 1, 2028ScheduledTransitional clauses 4(b) and 5(2)

The instruments

New Zealand

Ban on PFAS in cosmetic products

Citation
Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 (HSR002552) as amended by the Cosmetic Products Group Standard (Amendment) Notice 2024, under sections 96B and 96C(3) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
Enacted by
New Zealand Gazette notice 2024-sl388
Enacted or adopted
January 25, 2024
Status
In force
Source
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-sl388

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

  • Substances containing only CF3-X or X-CF2-X' structural elements (as defined) are outside the PFAS definition

Timeline

  • January 25, 2024 Enacted
    EPA issued the Cosmetic Products Group Standard amendment adding a PFAS ban. Source
  • February 14, 2024 Update
    The amendment notice was published in the New Zealand Gazette. Source
  • January 1, 2026 Took effect
    The amendment came into force, starting the PFAS phase-out in cosmetics. Source

Get the change log by email

New laws, amended dates, adopted rules and corrections, sent when they happen. No other mail.

See the privacy policy. Unsubscribe from any email.