PFAS in baby clothing have been banned in France since January 1, 2026. The law of February 27, 2025 applies to clothing, footwear, and associated waterproofing products, with thresholds set by decree at the end of December 2025. The ban will extend to all textiles on January 1, 2030.
In practical terms, parents no longer need to wonder whether the water-repellent treatment on a rain suit contains forever chemicals: their presence is now illegal above very low thresholds. Here is exactly what the text says, and what remains outside its scope.
What are PFAS?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, form a family of more than four thousand chemical compounds. They have been used since the 1950s for their nonstick, waterproofing, and heat-resistant properties.
The carbon–fluorine bond is one of the most stable in organic chemistry. It barely degrades in the environment, hence the nickname “forever chemicals.” These substances accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms.
According to Anses, exposure among the general population occurs mainly through food, particularly seafood, eggs, and meat, as well as drinking water, indoor air, and household dust.
What we know about their effects
Available scientific data associate certain PFAS with elevated cholesterol levels and liver and kidney damage. Effects on fertility and fetal development have also been documented, along with thyroid and immune system disruptions.
In December 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans, group 1. PFOS was classified as possibly carcinogenic, group 2B.
It is important to be precise about what this means. These classifications concern specific substances and given exposure levels. They do not make it possible to conclude that a water-repellent garment exposes a child to a measurable risk of cancer.
PFAS and baby clothing: what exactly does the law ban?
The reference text is Law No. 2025-188 of February 27, 2025, aimed at protecting the population from risks associated with PFAS.
Since January 1, 2026, it has been prohibited to manufacture, import, export, or place on the market three categories of products containing PFAS: cosmetics; ski waxes; and clothing, footwear, and waterproofing agents intended for them.
On January 1, 2030, the ban will extend to all textiles, including household textiles. Technical textiles for industrial use will be covered by a list established by decree.
The applicable thresholds
Two implementing decrees were published at the end of December 2025. Decree No. 2025-1376 of December 28, 2025 sets out product bans and their exceptions.
The thresholds are low. An individual PFAS substance must not exceed 25 micrograms per kilogram. The sum of measured PFAS must not exceed 250 micrograms per kilogram. Including fluorinated polymers, the limit is 50 milligrams per kilogram.
A second decree, No. 2025-1287 of December 22, 2025, concerns water intended for human consumption. It establishes a list of twenty-two PFAS to be tested for in health inspections.
Exceptions
Personal protective equipment covered by European Regulation 2016/425 remains authorized. This notably includes firefighters’ and military uniforms, as well as water-repellent treatments intended for their maintenance.
An exception also applies to textiles and footwear incorporating a significant proportion of recycled material derived from post-consumer waste. Products manufactured before January 1, 2026 may also be sold during a transitional period.
What does this mean for parents in practical terms?
For new purchases in France, the issue is largely settled. A rain suit, parka, pair of boots, or waterproofing spray sold legally must no longer contain PFAS above the thresholds.
Three gray areas nevertheless remain.
The first concerns online purchases from sellers established outside the European Union. Monitoring is more difficult there, and direct imports often escape routine customs checks.
The second concerns second-hand goods and donations. A garment purchased or passed on before 2026 is not covered by the ban. That is not a reason to avoid them, but it is a fact worth knowing.
The third concerns the scope of the rules. The ban does not yet cover household textiles, textile floor coverings, or food packaging. It applies to clothing, not to the entire household.
How to identify a water-repellent treatment
The commercial terms to watch for are well known: water-repellent, durable waterproofing, and stain-resistant treatment. For a compliant new product, they no longer automatically mean PFAS, but they remain the right place to look.
Alternatives have existed for several years. Wax-, silicone-, or polyurethane-based treatments provide comparable waterproofing for everyday use by children.
More generally, knowing how to read a product composition remains the most useful skill. We explain it in detail in our guide to reading a baby product technical data sheet.
How does this ban fit with the other rules?
It adds to an already extensive framework. The REACH regulation governs chemical substances at the European level. The EN 71-3 standard limits the migration of certain elements in toys. The OEKO-TEX label certifies the absence of harmful substances in textiles.
We described this regulatory landscape in our article on baby product certifications.
Other substances are subject to specific restrictions and directly concern childcare equipment. This is the case with formamide, bisphenol A, and phthalates, which we cover in our article on the chemical safety of baby products.
For a play mat, the question does not arise in the same terms as it does for a textile. XPE-type cross-linked foams do not use fluorinated treatments to be washable. The criteria that really matter are detailed in our guide to foam baby play mats, and in the product page for our XPE baby play mat.
How to stay informed
Product recalls are published on the official RappelConso website. Anses opinions are freely available. We have gathered the key precautions in our article on baby product recalls.
Sources
LAW No. 2025-188 of February 27, 2025, aimed at protecting the population from risks associated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Légifrance. Decree No. 2025-1376 of December 28, 2025. Decree No. 2025-1287 of December 22, 2025. Ministry of the Economy, “Everything you need to know about the gradual ban on PFAS.” Anses, “PFAS: highly persistent chemical substances.” International Agency for Research on Cancer, classification of PFOA and PFOS, December 2023.
