France Enacts PFAS Ban But Exempts Nonstick Cookware Amid Industry Pushback

France's latest initiative to curb the use of harmful PFAS chemicals culminated in a ban across various products, yet controversially allows their continued use in nonstick cookware due to industry lobbying, sparking debate among health experts and lawmakers.

France has made a significant stride toward public health with its new legislation targeting pernicious “forever chemicals,” yet the law has not come without controversy. On Friday, France enacted a comprehensive ban on the manufacture and sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known for their reluctance to decompose and their association with numerous health risks, including liver damage, immune system impairment, and certain cancer types. While the move has been broadly welcomed, a glaring exception was made for nonstick cookware, stemming from vigorous opposition from the industry.

Lobbying efforts by Tefal, a leading French cookware manufacturer, culminated in protests by employees advocating for the continued use of PFAS in their products, which played a significant role in the law's final shaping. Politician Nicolas Thierry of the Green Party, who had championed the ban, expressed disappointment over the exemption for cookware, suggesting that it undermined the potential impact of the ban in protecting public health.

The new regulations, set to take effect next year, target a wide array of PFAS-containing products, including cosmetics, footwear, textiles, and ski wax. However, textile products will only be fully prohibited by 2030, with exceptions for specific professional gear, such as that used by firefighters. The move is bolstered by considerable momentum behind the fight against PFAS, as multiple nations and regions grapple with similar challenges related to these chemicals.