On January 1, 2026, France's "Act to Protect the Population from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)" officially came into force, fully prohibiting the production, import, export and sale of cosmetics with excessive PFAS content, triggering a global regulatory storm on PFAS in the cosmetics industry.
    As synthetic organic compounds, PFAS are characterized by high stability and hydrophobicity. They are often used as waterproofing agents and film-forming agents in cosmetics, widely applied in makeup, skin care products and hair care products. A previous report by the U.S. FDA showed that 51 types of PFAS are intentionally used in 1,744 cosmetic formulations, and the safety of most of them cannot be confirmed. Makeup products such as eye shadows and leave-on creams have a particularly high usage ratio. In addition to France, New Zealand will phase out the sale of PFAS-containing cosmetics from the end of 2026. California, Maine and other U.S. states have issued relevant bans, while the EU and Canada are also advancing restriction proposals. PFAS has become the focus of supervision in many countries due to its carcinogenic and teratogenic risks, and its resistance to degradation for hundreds of years, which can pollute the ecological environment.
    The ban has a profound impact on China's cosmetics industry. As a major importer of French cosmetics, Chinese enterprises exporting to Europe are facing challenges such as increased compliance costs and formula adjustments, and the upstream supply chain is accelerating the research and development of non-PFAS alternatives. At present, China has included PFOS, PFOA and other substances in the list of key controlled new pollutants, and the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control is soliciting opinions on relevant prohibited standards, but has not fully banned or restricted all PFAS.
    Industry experts said that the global restriction on the use of PFAS has become an irreversible trend. Chinese enterprises need to layout in advance to respond to changes in international regulations, and avoid trade barriers while ensuring product safety and environmental protection.

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