Class B firefighting foams (AFFF) were the first PFAS products states restricted. The laws range from training-use limits to full bans on manufacture, sale and use, usually with exemptions where federal law required PFAS foam at airports. The FAA no longer requires fluorinated foam.
State rules
| Jurisdiction | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New HampshireBan | Manufacturers may not knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use in New Hampshire class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS, and no person, local government or state agency may discharge or use it for training or testing.Exceptions: uses where PFAS are required by federal law (for example 14 C.F.R. 139.317; DES may adopt rules if federal rules change), chemical plants, and flammable liquid storage or distribution facilities, tank farms and terminals. Testing is allowed at facilities DES has evaluated for containment. Manufacturers must recall and reimburse, and municipalities must report any discharge to DES within 48 hours. | January 1, 2020 | In force | RSA 154:8-b, II, III, IV, XI |
| WashingtonBan | Manufacturers may not manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale or distribute class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS.Exempt where federal law requires PFAS (14 C.F.R. 139.317) until two years after Ecology publishes a finding that federal rules allow alternatives. Manufacturers must recall prohibited foam and reimburse purchasers. | July 1, 2020 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(1), (2); RCW 70A.400.040 |
| ColoradoBan | Manufacturers may not knowingly sell, offer for sale, or distribute class B firefighting foam to which PFAS chemicals have been added.Exempt: foam where PFAS are required or authorized by federal law (including 14 CFR Part 139 and FAA guidance) or military purposes; fuel storage and distribution facilities, tank farms, and refineries; chemical plants; and the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels if CDOT deems it necessary. Manufacturers had to notify sellers at least one year before this date. | August 2, 2021 | In force | C.R.S. 25-5-1303, 25-5-1304 |
| CaliforniaBan | Manufacturers may not manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, or distribute Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS in California, and no person may use it. No person may discharge or otherwise use such foam for training.Does not apply where federal law requires PFAS (for example 14 CFR 139.317), and for one year after such a requirement is revoked. Manufacturers had to recall banned foam and reimburse purchasers by 2022-03-01. Training ban is in HSC 13062. | January 1, 2022 | In force | HSC 13061(b)(1)-(2), (d); 13062 |
| MaineBan | No person may manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale or distribute for use in Maine firefighting or fire-suppressing foam to which PFAS have been intentionally added. No one may discharge such foam for testing or training unless it is fully collected for proper disposal.Exceptions: foam required by federal law at airports (for example 14 C.F.R. 139.317; the exception lapses if no federal requirement exists) and foam for DoD-required marine defense applications. Emergency use is allowed. Discharges to waters or adjacent land must be reported to DEP within 24 hours. Manufacturers had to notify recipients and recall and reimburse by January 1, 2022, and must give DEP a certificate of compliance on request. | January 1, 2022 | In force | 38 M.R.S. section 424-C(2), (3), (4), (5) |
| VermontBan | Manufacturers may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale or use in Vermont class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS, and no person, municipality or state agency may discharge or use such foam for training or testing.In effect since July 1, 2022 under 18 V.S.A. sections 1662 and 1663; a federal-requirement exception ended no later than October 1, 2023, and terminals were exempt until January 1, 2024. Recodified at 9 V.S.A. sections 2494q and 2494r effective January 1, 2026. Terminals may apply to DEC for one-year exemptions for emergency class B fires. Manufacturers must notify sellers, recall and reimburse, and publish a recall notice (section 2494t). | July 1, 2022 | In force | 9 V.S.A. sections 2494q, 2494r, 2494t |
| CaliforniaBan | The temporary exemption for facility areas using fixed foam fire suppression systems with 110 percent containment ended.Foam supplied under this exemption had to be recalled by 2024-03-01. | January 1, 2024 | In force | HSC 13061(b)(3), (e) |
| MarylandBan | Prohibits the use, manufacture, sale, or distribution of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS.Exemption for airports, ports, oil refineries, and chemical plants until September 30, 2024; oil terminals exempt until December 31, 2027. | January 1, 2024 | In force | Section 6-1603 |
| MinnesotaBan | No person, political subdivision, or state agency may manufacture or knowingly sell, offer for sale, or distribute class B firefighting foam containing PFAS in Minnesota, and no person may use it.Exempt: foam whose PFAS content is required by federal law (for example 14 CFR 139.317), with the exemption ending one year after revocation of the federal requirement; airport use until the state fire marshal finds fluorine-free foam is FAA-approved and available (the MPCA timeline lists the airport prohibition under January 1, 2026 and reports the determination was made). Exempted users may discharge the foam for testing or training only with containment, treatment, and disposal measures (subd. 3a). | January 1, 2024 | In force | Minn. Stat. 325F.072, subds. 3 and 3a |
| WashingtonBan | The sales ban began to apply to foam sold for use at terminals, chemical plants and oil refineries operated by the buyer.Operators may seek two-year waivers, extendable once, on clear and convincing evidence that no PFAS-free foam can suppress a large atmospheric storage tank fire. | January 1, 2024 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(3) |
| HawaiiBan | It is unlawful to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for training or testing purposes class B foam with intentionally introduced PFAS. No person or state or county agency may discharge or use such foam for training or testing.The use ban excepts use necessary for effective suppression of a petroleum fire. The sales ban does not apply where federal law or regulation requires PFAS; if federal rules change to allow alternatives, DOH may adopt restricting rules. Manufacturers had to notify sellers by Jan. 1, 2023 and must recall prohibited foam and reimburse purchasers. | July 1, 2024 | In force | HRS 321-603(a), (b), (c); HRS 321-604 |
| IllinoisBan | Manufacturers of class B firefighting foam may not knowingly manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or distribute in Illinois foam containing intentionally added PFAS.Refineries, chemical or ethanol plants, flammable liquid storage and distribution facilities, tank farms or terminals, and fixed foam systems at manufacturing facilities or warehouses could extend compliance to January 1, 2027 by notifying the State Fire Marshal before January 1, 2025. Exempt where PFAS foam is required or authorized by federal law or local building or fire codes (including 14 CFR 139.317, FAA guidance, and NFPA 409 (2016)) or for military purposes, unless federal law allows alternatives. | January 1, 2025 | In force | 415 ILCS 170/10(b), (c) |
| Rhode IslandBan | A manufacturer may not manufacture, knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use or use in Rhode Island Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS.Exempt where federal law requires PFAS (including 14 C.F.R. 139.317); such users must report use and releases to the state fire marshal and the DEM within five business days (P.L. 2026, ch. 230 and 231) and fully contain releases. Terminals may seek a DEM temporary exemption of up to one year. Manufacturers had to recall prohibited foam and reimburse purchasers by March 1, 2025. | January 1, 2025 | In force | R.I. Gen. Laws 23-18.18-5(c)-(h) |
| WashingtonBan | Manufacturers may not sell or offer AFFF to Part 139 certificated airports in Washington.Follows Ecology's Register finding under RCW 70A.400.020(2)(b). Ecology says it may extend the deadline by up to one year for an airport with valid justification. Airports may sell existing stock out of state. | September 30, 2025 | In force | RCW 70A.400.020(2)(b) |
| MinnesotaBan | The temporary exemption for class B foam with intentionally added PFAS at terminals and oil refineries ended; operators may continue only under a state fire marshal waiver.Waivers last no more than two years, require clear and convincing evidence that no PFAS-free alternative works for the specific use plus a transition plan, and all waivers expire by January 1, 2028. A notice of intent was due to the fire marshal by January 1, 2025. | January 1, 2026 | In force | 2023 Minn. Laws ch. 60, art. 3, sec. 31 |
| New JerseyBan | Manufacture, sale, offer for sale and distribution of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS are banned, and so is its use by anyone other than fire departments.Exempt where federal law requires PFAS. Fixed foam systems designed for 110 percent containment may continue until January 8, 2028. Oil refineries and petroleum terminals may use it on storage tanks of 120 square meters or more or fuel-in-depth pools until January 8, 2032; they had to notify DCA by January 8, 2026, must file any waiver notice of intent by January 8, 2029, and all waivers expire by January 8, 2036. | January 8, 2026 | In force | P.L. 2023, c. 243; N.J.S.A. 56:8-229d |
| IllinoisBan | The extended compliance period for facilities that notified the State Fire Marshal ends, so the class B foam ban applies to them. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | 415 ILCS 170/10(b) |
| New MexicoBan | Manufacturers may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute in New Mexico, directly or through intermediaries, firefighting foam (aqueous film-forming foam containing intentionally added PFAS) containing intentionally added PFAS.Section 3(A) exemptions apply, including products containing solid fluoropolymers (Section 3(A)(16)). The Act also directs the EIB to require periodic foam inventories, emergency-only use (training and fire suppression systems do not count as emergencies), and cleanup of discarded foam. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | HB 212 (2025), Section 3(B) |
| FloridaBan | Prohibits the sale, purchase, and distribution of AFFF containing intentionally added PFAS.The airport, military and retrofit exemptions in the act apply only to the 2029 possession and use ban. | July 1, 2027 | Scheduled | Fla. Stat. 376.911 |
| CaliforniaBan | The exemption for terminals and oil refineries (storage tanks of 120 square meters or more and fuel-in-depth pools) ends.Operators may seek State Fire Marshal waivers for specific uses (notice of intent was due 2025-07-01); a waiver lasts up to two years, may be extended once, and all waivers expire by 2032-01-01. Exempt users must report each use to the State Fire Marshal within five business days and fully contain releases. | January 1, 2028 | Scheduled | HSC 13061(b)(4)-(9) |
| MinnesotaBan | The exemption for class B foam used in fixed firefighting systems in airport hangars ends.Added by 1Sp2025 c 1, art. 4, sec. 21. The MPCA, consulting the state fire marshal, may give a hangar operator one-year extensions if the delay is beyond the operator's control and safety and the environment are protected. | January 1, 2028 | Scheduled | Minn. Stat. 325F.072, subd. 3(e) |
| New YorkBan | Commencing two years after the section's effective date, manufacturers may not manufacture, sell or distribute Class B foam with intentionally added PFAS, except where federal law requires PFAS or as otherwise provided; manufacturers must notify sellers and recall prohibited foam with safe disposal and reimbursement.Calendar date not confirmed on a primary source. | Not confirmed | In force | GBL 391-u |
| WashingtonUse limit | No person, local government or state agency may discharge or use class B foam with intentionally added PFAS for training.Use in real fires and required equipment testing remains allowed, per Ecology. | July 1, 2018 | In force | RCW 70A.400.010 |
| ColoradoUse limit | No person or fire department may discharge or use class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for training or for testing foam fire systems. | August 2, 2019 | In force | C.R.S. 24-33.5-1234(1) |
| ArizonaUse limit | A person, local government or state agency may not use Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for training unless law or federal regulation requires it, or for testing unless it is required or the testing facility has containment, treatment and disposal measures.Emergency firefighting and fire prevention operations are exempt until the 2026 amendment takes effect. | January 1, 2020 | In force | A.R.S. 36-1696 (2019 enactment) |
| GeorgiaUse limit | Restricts discharge and use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals by fire departments and state/local entities.Exceptions for emergency firefighting operations and for training/testing at facilities engineered to contain releases. | January 1, 2020 | In force Secondary source | O.C.G.A. 25-2-41 |
| IndianaUse limit | Prohibits use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals for training purposes. | July 1, 2020 | In force Secondary source | IC 36-8-10.7 |
| IndianaUse limit | Prohibits testing use of PFAS-containing Class B foam unless the facility has appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures.Does not restrict emergency firefighting/fire prevention use, or manufacture/sale of the foam. | July 1, 2020 | In force Secondary source | IC 36-8-10.7 |
| KentuckyUse limit | Prohibits use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals for training or testing purposes, unless otherwise required by law, regulation, or ordinance and the facility uses best industry practices to prevent uncontrolled releases.KRS 227.395 took effect June 27, 2019; the restriction begins July 15, 2020. It does not apply to manufacture, sale, distribution or emergency firefighting. | July 15, 2020 | In force | KRS 227.395(2) |
| WisconsinUse limit | Prohibits use of Class B and Class A/B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS; training use is banned outright, while real-incident and testing use are limited to specific exemptions.Testing permitted only at facilities with DNR-compliant containment, treatment, and disposal measures under NR 159. | September 1, 2020 | In force | Section 299.48 |
| MichiganUse limit | Prohibits use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for firefighter training.A transition/best-practices training requirement ran through December 31, 2023. | October 6, 2020 | In force Secondary source | MCL 29.369c |
| VirginiaUse limit | Prohibits discharge or use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for testing or training purposes; training must use nonfluorinated (fluorine-free) foam.Does not restrict manufacture, sale, or distribution and does not apply to actual emergency firefighting or fire-prevention operations; testing permitted only where legally required with proper containment. | July 1, 2021 | In force Secondary source | Section 9.1-207.1 |
| ConnecticutUse limit | No person, local government or state agency may use Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS in any amount for training or testing. | July 13, 2021 | In force Secondary source | Conn. Gen. Stat. 22a-903a(b)(1) |
| ConnecticutUse limit | No person may use Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for vapor suppression or firefighting, except for flammable liquid-based fires where DEEP has not identified an alternative as the statute provides.Airport fixed systems holding such foam had to be removed or repurposed by October 1, 2023. An exception tied to federal law requirements applies. DEEP was to develop or identify a take-back program for municipally owned foam by October 1, 2021. The statute restricts use; no separate sales ban was found. | October 1, 2021 | In force Secondary source | Conn. Gen. Stat. 22a-903a(b)(2)-(4), (c) |
| ArkansasUse limit | Prohibits discharge of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals at foam training facilities; nonfluorinated training foams or other nonfluorinated surrogates must be used instead. | January 1, 2022 | In force | Ark. Code 20-22-101 et seq. |
| ArkansasUse limit | Prohibits discharge of PFAS-containing Class B foam for testing purposes unless required by law or ordinance and the facility has appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures.Does not apply to emergency firefighting/fire prevention operations, or to manufacture, sale or distribution of the foam. | January 1, 2022 | In force | Ark. Code 20-22-101 et seq. |
| IllinoisUse limit | No person, local government, fire department, or state agency may use class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for training or testing, except testing at facilities with containment, notification, and employee training. Manufacturers must tell fire departments before purchase that the foam contains PFAS, is regulated, and that alternatives may exist.Any discharge or release of such foam must be reported to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency within 48 hours (Sec. 15(b)). Emergency response use by fire departments is not restricted. | January 1, 2022 | In force | 415 ILCS 170/10(a), (d), (e); 170/15 |
| LouisianaUse limit | Prohibits discharge or use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals, except in fire prevention or in response to an emergency firefighting operation. | January 1, 2022 | In force | R.S. 40:1615 |
| NevadaUse limit | No person, political subdivision, local government or state or local agency may discharge, use or release class B foam with intentionally added PFAS for firefighting training, or for testing unless containment, treatment and disposal measures prevent release to the environment.Any discharge, use or release of such foam must be reported to NDEP within 24 hours with time, place, amount and purpose (NRS 459.684). Does not apply where preempted by or in conflict with federal law, including 14 C.F.R. Part 139 and military uses. | January 1, 2022 | In force | NRS 459.680, 459.682, 459.684; AB 97 sec. 27 |
| OhioUse limit | Prohibits using Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for training purposes, and prohibits testing use unless required by law or regulation and conducted with appropriate containment and disposal measures.Emergency firefighting and fire prevention operations are exempt; the section does not restrict manufacture, sale, or distribution. | June 13, 2022 | In force | R.C. 3737.52 |
| ColoradoUse limit | Anyone using class B foam with intentionally added PFAS must prevent release, fully contain it, store it safely, document measures, and report any use to CDPHE's water quality spills hotline within 24 hours. Use of such foam is also banned at aircraft storage or maintenance structures at certain airports.Containment and reporting duties do not apply where PFAS foam is required or authorized by federal law or FAA guidance or for military purposes. The airport structure restriction (C.R.S. 25-5-1309) was moved from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 by HB 22-1345. | January 1, 2024 | In force | C.R.S. 25-5-1303.5, 25-5-1309 |
| AlaskaUse limit | A person may not use a firefighting foam that contains a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance in Alaska unless the use is permitted for oil and gas fires or required by federal law.The ban has no intentional-addition qualifier. The oil and gas exception lasts until the State Fire Marshal adopts regulations requiring a safe and effective alternative foam. The same act set up a DEC reimbursement program for disposal of PFAS foam and contaminated equipment. | January 1, 2025 | In force | AS 46.03.340; AS 46.03.135; ch. 14 SLA 24 sec. 5 |
| Rhode IslandUse limit | A person, local government or state agency may not discharge or otherwise use for training Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS. | January 1, 2025 | In force | R.I. Gen. Laws 23-18.18-5(b) |
| FloridaUse limit | Aqueous film-forming foam may not be used for any nonemergency instruction, training or testing. | July 1, 2026 | In force | Fla. Stat. 376.911(2)(a) |
| OregonUse limit | A fire department, including its employees and volunteers, may not use PFAS firefighting foam in Oregon.Exception where a Federal Aviation Administration regulation or other federal law requires it. The act took effect Jan. 1, 2026 but section 1 became operative July 1, 2026. The act sets no penalty. | July 1, 2026 | In force | Oregon Laws 2025 ch. 86, secs. 1 and 2 |
| New JerseyUse limit | No fire department in New Jersey may use Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS.Added by P.L.2025, c.266. If a federal requirement for PFAS foam is revoked, the ban applies one year after the revocation. | January 1, 2027 | Scheduled | N.J.S.A. 56:8-229, as amended by P.L.2025, c.266 |
| ArizonaUse limit | From and after December 31, 2028, no person, local government or state agency may discharge or use Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for any purpose unless federal regulation requires it. The amendment removes the testing containment and emergency-use exceptions.Public airports need not comply until after December 31, 2030. | January 1, 2029 | Scheduled | A.R.S. 36-1696, as amended by Laws 2026, ch. 103 (HB 2641) |
| FloridaUse limit | Prohibits the possession and use of AFFF containing intentionally added PFAS.Exemptions for emergency firefighting, airports, military applications, and approved retrofit projects. | July 1, 2029 | Scheduled | Fla. Stat. 376.911 |
| New YorkUse limit | No person or state agency may discharge or otherwise use for training Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS.Effective on the same date as Chapter 702 of 2019, per Chapter 88 of 2020; calendar date not confirmed on a primary source. | Not confirmed | In force | GBL 391-u; GML 204-g |
| MinnesotaReporting | Any person, political subdivision, or state agency that discharges, uses, or releases class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS, or knows of such a discharge, must report it to the Minnesota Fire Incident Reporting System within 24 hours.Report must give time, location, estimated amount, purpose, and containment, treatment, and disposal measures. | July 1, 2020 | Applies | Minn. Stat. 325F.072, subd. 2 |
| MichiganReporting | Requires fire chiefs to immediately report use or discharge of PFAS-containing firefighting foam to Michigan's Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS). | July 8, 2020 | Applies Secondary source | MCL 324.14703 |
| WisconsinReporting | Requires immediate notification to the Wisconsin DNR when PFAS-containing foam is discharged to the environment.Notification via the DNR emergency hotline. | September 1, 2020 | Applies | Section 299.48 |
| North CarolinaReporting | Fire departments must annually report their AFFF inventory and must report each incident where AFFF was deployed within 15 days, through ImageTrend or a regional Foam Analyst, to the Office of State Fire Marshal.Also requires identifying unwanted foam for proper disposal; this is a reporting duty on fire departments; it does not restrict sales or use. | July 1, 2022 | Applies | G.S. 58-82B-1 et seq. |
| MarylandReporting | A person allowed to use Class B foam with PFAS under an exemption must report to MDE within 5 days any release directly into the environment, with the foam's identity, quantity, total PFAS concentration and waste form. | January 1, 2024 | Applies | Env. 6-1603(c)(1)(ii)4 |
| FloridaReporting | Entities possessing AFFF must submit an AFFF inventory report to the Department of Environmental Protection. | July 1, 2026 | Applies | Fla. Stat. 376.911 |
| FloridaReporting | Entities possessing AFFF must submit a disposal plan to the Department of Environmental Protection. | July 1, 2027 | Starts | Fla. Stat. 376.911 |
| MichiganOther duty | Establishes a state collection program for free disposal of PFAS-containing foam concentrate.Contingent on legislative appropriation. | July 8, 2020 | Applies Secondary source | MCL 324.14705 |
| MichiganOther duty | Directs the director to adopt rules that may prohibit firefighters from using PFAS foam concentrate in training, and in equipment calibration after January 1, 2020 unless the calibration is required by law or the facility has measures that comply with the rules. | July 31, 2020 | Applies Secondary source | MCL 408.1014r |
| CaliforniaOther duty | Manufacturers of Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS had to notify, in writing, persons selling their products in California about the restrictions.For products sold after 2021-07-01, notice was due by 2021-12-31. | July 1, 2021 | Applies | HSC 13061(c) |
| New HampshireOther duty | DES must run a take-back program for safe disposal of legacy foams (made before January 1, 2004 with PFOS or PFOA-related long-chain PFAS). | July 1, 2023 | Applies | RSA 154:8-b, VIII |
| MaineOther duty | DEP, with the State Fire Marshal and when funds are available, must design and by July 1, 2027 implement a voluntary take-back and disposal program for PFAS firefighting foam held in Maine.Enacted by PL 2025, c. 525 (LD 222). DEP may contract a third party and adopt routine technical rules. | July 1, 2027 | Starts | 38 M.R.S. section 424-C(5-A) |
Federal and international rules
| Jurisdiction | Requirement | Effective | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DenmarkFirefighting foam | Import and sale of firefighting foam concentrate with more than 1 ppm (mg/kg) total PFAS intended for fire training grounds, and use of such concentrate at fire training grounds, are banned.Existing stocks could be used at training grounds until 1 July 2024. Fixed installations at training grounds and offshore installations are excluded. | January 1, 2024 | In force | § 3, § 6 |
| AustraliaFirefighting foam | Use of firefighting foam containing PFOS, PFOA or PFHxS is prohibited except at trace levels, including for foam already installed in Class B systems.Installed Class B foam limits: 0.8 mg/kg PFOS and salts, 0.8 mg/kg PFOA and salts, 0.1 mg/kg PFHxS and salts; to be reviewed by 1 July 2027. | July 1, 2025 | In force | Schedule 7, paras. (b)(i)(C) and (c)(i)(C) of each entry |
| United KingdomFirefighting foam | The GB derogation allowing use of PFOA-containing firefighting foam already installed in systems for Class B fires ran until 4 July 2025.Unlike the EU, GB did not extend this derogation to 3 December 2025 (per the current GB text). | July 4, 2025 | In force | Annex 1 Part A, PFOA entry, point 6 |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| CanadaFirefighting foam | The exemption for use, sale and import of AFFF containing PFOA or LC-PFCAs is repealed; such foam may only be used to test installed systems with contained releases and for emergency liquid fuel fires.Allowed until 31 December 2027 (most systems), 31 December 2028 (mobile systems on military ships and vehicles) and 31 December 2030 (fixed military systems); sales between mutual aid partners until 30 June 2028. Incidental PFOS in AFFF allowed at or below 10 mg/kg. | June 30, 2026 | In force | Schedule 1; RIAS |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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) |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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) |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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) |
| United States (federal)Firefighting foam | Fluorinated AFFF may not be used at any military installation that had transitioned to a fluorine-free agent meeting the military specification as of December 18, 2025. | December 18, 2025 | In force | Pub. L. 116-92, sec. 322(c)(1) |
| United States (federal)Firefighting foam | DoD funds may not be obligated or expended after October 1, 2026 to procure firefighting foam that contains detectable PFAS.Before the FY2026 NDAA, the limit was foam containing more than one part per billion of PFAS after October 1, 2023, implemented in the DFARS. | October 1, 2026 | Scheduled | Pub. L. 116-92, sec. 322(b) |
| United States (federal)Firefighting foam | Fluorinated AFFF may not be used at any other military installation on or after the earlier of October 1, 2026 or the date the Secretary determines compliance is possible.The original deadline was October 1, 2024. DoD reportedly used two one-year waivers to reach October 1, 2026 (secondary sources); the FY2026 NDAA then set October 1, 2026 in statute and kept waiver authority, now delegable to the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment. Whether DoD will issue a new waiver was not verified. | October 1, 2026 | Scheduled | Pub. L. 116-92, sec. 322(c)(2) |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| European UnionFirefighting foam | 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 |
| United States (federal)Firefighting foam | Within three years of enactment the FAA had to stop requiring fluorinated chemicals to meet airport firefighting foam performance standards. Part 139 airports may use foam meeting MIL-PRF-24385 (AFFF) or MIL-PRF-32725 (fluorine-free); the FAA has set no deadline requiring airports to switch.FAA CertAlert 26-03 (August 5, 2026) describes the statutory deadline as October 4, 2021. CertAlert 23-01 (January 12, 2023) said Part 139 airports would not be required by the FAA to transition to fluorine-free foam. | Not confirmed | Applies | Pub. L. 115-254, sec. 332(a) |
Questions
Which states ban PFAS firefighting foam?
Fifteen states ban the manufacture, sale or use of PFAS firefighting foam. In force: New Hampshire (since January 1, 2020); Washington (since July 1, 2020); Colorado (since August 2, 2021); California and Maine (since January 1, 2022); Vermont (since July 1, 2022); Maryland and Minnesota (since January 1, 2024); Hawaii (since July 1, 2024); Illinois and Rhode Island (since January 1, 2025); New Jersey (since January 8, 2026); New York (in force, start date not confirmed). Scheduled: New Mexico (January 1, 2027); Florida (July 1, 2027). Fourteen more restrict only how the foam is used, mainly in training and testing: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin.