The European Union is introducing a phased ban on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighting foam. The basis is Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 of 2 October 2025, which adds a new entry (No. 82) to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006). The rule applies across the EU and affects fire brigades, industry, airports and shipping. The first step took effect on 23 October 2026.
What are the deadlines?
The restriction takes effect in stages. From 23 October 2026, portable fire extinguishers containing foam above the limit of 1 milligram of PFAS per litre may no longer be placed on the market or refilled; existing stock above that limit must then be labelled. On 23 April 2027, the transitional periods for alcohol-resistant foam in portable extinguishers and for training and testing expire, and the exemptions for public and private fire brigades end, except for industrial fires under the Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU). For civil aviation and airports, a ban on use applies from 10 October 2029. On 23 October 2030, the general ban takes effect: firefighting foam containing 1 milligram of PFAS per litre or more may then no longer be placed on the market or used, unless a specific exemption applies. Three categories get a longer transitional period until 23 October 2035: installations under the Seveso III Directive, offshore oil and gas installations, and civilian ships that took the foam on board before 23 October 2025, plus military vessels. Only then do all exemptions expire.
What should companies do?
Organisations that manage firefighting agents are advised to check, during maintenance and risk assessments, which foam and extinguishers still contain PFAS above the limit. According to Haufe, many insurers exclude damage caused by PFAS-based firefighting agents or are pushing for early replacement. Discarded PFAS firefighting agent counts as hazardous waste and must be disposed of through licensed processors, usually by high-temperature incineration, with full documentation of the disposal. Fluorine-free foam extinguishers or alternatives such as water or powder extinguishers are emerging as replacements.
Context
Some EU countries were already ahead of the EU-wide rule. Denmark banned the import and sale of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for fire brigade training grounds as early as 1 January 2024, with a national limit of 1 milligram of PFAS per kilogram. Existing stock could still be used at training grounds until 1 July 2024. The new EU-wide restriction comes on top of earlier EU rules for specific PFAS substances: PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS already fall under the POP Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, and some PFAS under earlier entries in Annex XVII of REACH. Entry 82 does not apply to those already regulated uses.
For fluorine-free foam used in equipment cleaned according to best available techniques, a higher limit of up to 50 milligrams of PFAS per litre applies, according to UL Solutions. With the first deadline already passed and the next one expiring in April 2027, companies would do well to take timely stock of their firefighting foam and plan for replacement.
Source: PFAS-Verbot für Schaumlöschmittel: Fristen und Handlungsbedarf, 27 October 2026
Additionally researched: SGS Safeguards: Denmark Bans PFAS in Firefighting Foams, UL Solutions: New EU Restriction on PFAS Firefighting Foams
