PFAS Have Been Widely Used Across Industries for Over 80 Years, But It Is Only in the Past 30 Years That Countries Have Seriously Studied Their Negative Impact on Ecosystems and Conducted Multi-Factor Assessments on Their Remediation and Costs. This "Pollute First, Remedy Later" Passive Approach Has Prompted Many Countries to Actively Legislate in Recent Years to Reduce or Even Avoid PFAS Risks in Various Products. For Manufacturers Across Industries, Understanding Regulations Means Controlling Compliance Risks for Their Products.

New PFAS Regulations in Europe and the U.S.

▼ European Union: Announces Next Batch of PFAS Restriction Review Industries

In a meeting held in June this year, the European Union's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Assessment Committee (SEAC) reached temporary conclusions on PFAS restrictions in four fields across the EU: consumer mixtures, cosmetics, ski wax, and the manufacturing of metal electroplating and metal products. In the September meeting, the committees will focus on PFAS restriction reviews in the following areas:

• Textiles, indoor decor, leather, clothing, carpets;

• Food contact materials and packaging;

• Oil and mining industries.

After reviewing these areas, the proposal will shift to PFAS restriction studies in sectors like fluorinated gases, transportation, and construction products, expected to begin in October.

▼ United States: Several States Announce Updates to PFAS Bans

In June, Connecticut passed legislation requiring companies to label 12 types of products that intentionally contain PFAS—such as clothing, household items, carpets, menstrual products, and cleaning agents—by July 1, 2026. Additionally, starting in 2028, PFAS will be banned from all these products, ranging from cleaning agents to outdoor equipment.

New Hampshire has recently passed a law that will prohibit PFAS use in nine product categories, including food packaging, carpets, home textiles, and youth products, starting January 1, 2027. Manufacturers or suppliers will need to provide a compliance certificate, proving that PFAS has not been intentionally used in the covered products, as required by the state's Department of Environmental Services (NHDES).

Minnesota's latest regulations state that starting January 1, 2025, PFAS intentionally added to carpets, fabric treatments, home textiles, upholstered furniture, menstrual care products, and five other product categories will be prohibited from being sold within the state. Beginning January 1, 2026, products containing intentionally added PFAS must submit a report on the purpose and content of PFAS used in any component, and manufacturers will be legally responsible for the report.

Additionally, states such as Washington, California, and Vermont have rolled out PFAS-related regulations. Companies exporting to the U.S. should stay updated on the announcements and regulatory policies of various states to ensure timely adjustments.

▼ France: Will Restrict the Manufacture and Sale of PFAS-Containing Products

In May, the French Senate passed a bill that will restrict the manufacture and sale of consumer clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and ski wax products containing PFAS starting January 1, 2026. The specific substances and content standards are still under discussion but will be stricter than current standards for harmful substances in the environment (water, air, and soil) and those in materials that come into contact with food.

Notably, Roland Lescure, a representative from the French Ministry of Industry, stated that France would implement these bans directly, without needing final confirmation from the European Chemicals Agency, signaling the country's commitment to green transformation and curbing harmful chemicals.

▼ Denmark: Plans to Ban PFAS in Clothing and Shoes

The Danish government recently announced new PFAS regulations, stating that starting July 1, 2026, PFAS will be banned in consumer clothing, shoes, and water-repellent agents. This could make Denmark the first EU member state to prohibit PFAS in consumer goods.

PFAS Response Trends: From Passive Reporting to Active Avoidance

From a regulatory perspective, the frequency of responses to PFAS risks varies by region. However, it is clear that every few months, new legislative discussions and notifications of PFAS regulations are emerging in different countries or regions. It is expected that the number and variety of PFAS regulations worldwide will continue to increase, with potentially thousands of specific substances being regulated.

Moreover, due to market management differences between countries, the product categories, content limits, and specific management approaches for individual PFAS substances may vary. These subtle differences and frequent updates could create compliance challenges for companies in the textile supply chain and hinder the smooth export of products to overseas markets.

HainesStan Restricted Substance Solutions

As an internationally recognized third-party testing and certification organization and one of the founders of OEKO-TEX®, HainesStan continues to track the latest global regulatory developments and keep pace with regulatory requirements for compliance testing. We provide businesses with restricted substance RSL testing to meet various national regulations such as EU REACH, POPs, U.S. CPSIA, as well as industry standards such as OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC, and AFIRM.