The European Union has adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/1988, published in the Official Journal on 3 October 2025, introducing a harmonised restriction on the use of PFAS in firefighting foams. The aim is to reduce environmental emissions and human exposure related to these substances, while promoting safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of chemicals that have been used for decades due to their resistance to heat, water, and oils. For these reasons, they are widely used in firefighting foams for Class B fires (those involving flammable liquids), in sectors such as airports, the oil industry, marine applications, and emergency services.
However, PFAS are highly persistent in the environment, mobile in water, and some of them are associated with adverse health effects, including potential carcinogenicity.
To address these concerns, the regulation introduces entry No. 82 in Annex XVII to REACH, covering all PFAS as defined by the OECD (substances containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl [CF₃] or methylene [CF₂] group).
Key provisions:
- From 23 October 2030 → placing on the market and use of firefighting foams containing PFAS ≥ 1 mg/l (sum of all PFAS) will be prohibited, unless specific derogations apply.
- From 23 October 2026 → firefighting foams containing PFAS ≥ 1 mg/l (excluding portable extinguishers) must bear the following 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.”
eur-lex.europa.eu