The European Union is gradually working towards a ban on PFAS in firefighting foam. Also, PFOA, a well-known PFAS variant, will be banned in firefighting foam starting December 4, 2025. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) advises companies to switch immediately to a completely PFAS-free alternative. The inspection may come for an unannounced check after December.
Due to the European ban on PFAS in firefighting foam, companies with PFAS-containing firefighting foam must eventually replace the installations with fluorine-free firefighting foam. Several PFAS have already been banned in firefighting foam since 2011. From December 4, 2025, companies must also switch to an alternative for PFOA. Initially, the PFOA ban was set to take effect on July 4, 2025. Companies indicated they needed more time.
PFAS-containing or fluorine-containing firefighting foam is very suitable for extinguishing fires, but it also causes PFAS to end up in the soil, air, and water. Through drinking water and food, PFAS subsequently enters the human body. Too much PFAS harms the environment and health.
Switching to Completely PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam
If companies switch directly to completely PFAS-free firefighting foam, they do not need to look for another alternative firefighting foam when there is a total ban on all PFAS in firefighting foam. Those who wait too long risk fines, shutdowns, or rising costs. The PFAS ban, for example, applies to companies in ports and the oil and gas industry, companies with storage facilities for hazardous substances, and chemical factories.
What Must Companies Do?
Due to the ban, companies must map and analyze their current stock of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. Consider: which PFAS have been measured, what is the concentration, what is the possible cause of exceedances? For the substances that will be banned, the ILT asks companies to create a transition plan and for the stock of POP substances to report a POP notification via the ILT website. With this plan, the company demonstrates which measures will be taken to transition from PFAS-containing foam-forming agents to a PFAS-free alternative.
European Regulation
The obligation arises from the European POP and REACH regulations, which prohibit the use of certain PFAS in firefighting agents and require these agents to be captured, disposed of, and destroyed responsibly. The ILT and environmental services monitor compliance. They can check this during unannounced inspections. If a company has not taken action, a warning or a penalty may follow.
