PFOA Fire Extinguisher Ban
What You Need to Know Before 4 July 2025
A major change in UK fire safety law is approaching. From 4 July 2025, all fire extinguishers containing PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), a type of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemical, will be prohibited across the UK, with further bans on chemicals from the PFAS group still under consideration.
This new regulation, introduced under updated REACH and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) legislation, aims to reduce harm to health and the environment from so-called “forever chemicals”. In this case, PFOA, because of its non-biodegradable nature, toxicity, and tendency for bioaccumulation (the buildup of a particle over time in an organism at the bottom of the food chain).
Most affected are AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) extinguishers, especially those manufactured or refilled before 2016. Whether you're a facilities manager, health and safety lead, or responsible for fire compliance on your premises, now is the time to assess your equipment and ensure you're ready for the deadline.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment, accumulate in water supplies, and pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems. Their resistance to degradation means they could remain in soil and water for decades, leading to long-term contamination.
Mounting scientific evidence has driven regulatory restrictions on PFAS worldwide, encouraging organisations to transition to safer, environmentally friendly fire safety solutions. In 2009, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) - also a type of PFAS - was banned under the Stockholm Convention, while PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) remained in use.
A formal agreement to phase out PFOA was reached a decade later, culminating in the upcoming 2025 ban. As part of this global shift, the use of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) in firefighting foams was officially phased out in 2019. A temporary grace period was granted to allow depletion of existing stocks, but this period ends on 4 July 2025, when a complete ban on PFOA in fire suppression systems will come into force in the UK.
Governments are now working towards a broader goal of eliminating all PFAS-based firefighting foams with potential implementation by 2030.
This ban affects any premises using PFOA-based AFFF extinguishers, including:
- Offices and commercial properties
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Housing associations and landlords
Older AFFF units are most likely to contain PFOA. If your extinguisher predates 2016 or isn’t clearly labelled as fluorine-free, it must be reviewed without delay. BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) recommends that a "suitable replacement portable fire extinguisher would be any product that matches the class of potential fire identified by the fire extinguisher provider in their risk assessment, (and that is compliant with the relevant parts of BS 5306)."
Who Needs to Act?
What Should I Do Now?
Check Your Extinguishers
- Check product labels and documentation – Look for chemical references like "C8 AFFF foam" and check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Review manufacture and refill dates – Extinguishers made before 2016 are high-risk.
- If you're unsure, contact your extinguisher provider – Request written confirmation of PFOA-free status or arrange an on-site compliance check.
- Dispose of non-compliant extinguishers safely – PFOA extinguishers must be treated as hazardous waste.
- Replace with certified alternatives – Use approved fluorine-free or C6 foam models marked as PFOA-free.
- Document everything – Keep evidence of compliance for inspections and regulatory checks.
Why Should I Comply?
- Use, maintenance, and refilling of PFOA extinguishers will be illegal, including in emergencies. Exceptions only applies where full containment of foam is possible - rare in standard business environments.
- Hazardous waste rules apply – Affected extinguishers must be incinerated by licensed waste contractors.
- Non-compliance can result in prosecution, fines, and environmental penalties.
Why Buy From VSafety?
Meeting your fire safety obligations are an essential consideration for any organisation with premises, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to deal with us. Join the thousands of customers who have benefitted from our exceptional customer service, low prices, comprehensive range, and quality product guidance.
Speak to us! You can call our friendly team FREE on 0800 030 8010, chat to us online or email us at sales@vsafety.co.uk
Free Delivery On Orders Over £65*
30 Day Guarantee No Quibble Guarantee
Fast, Tracked Delivery Thousands Of Items In Stock
Over 20,000 Products To Meet Your Safety Obligations
Price Match We’ll Beat a Cheaper Like-for-Like Product
Buy On Account For UK Businesses and No Minimum Order