New EU restrictions on PFAS in firefighting foams introduce important compliance milestones from 23 October 2026. For shipowners, ship managers and marine safety professionals, the key is to distinguish between portable extinguishers and fixed systems, and between EU PFAS rules and existing IMO requirements.
What is changing?
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 amends Annex XVII of REACH, introducing a general restriction on placing on the market and using firefighting foams containing a total PFAS concentration of 1 mg/L or more, with different deadlines and specific exemptions. The general restriction takes effect on 23 October 2030, but several earlier requirements apply.
Key PFAS deadlines for firefighting foam
- 23 October 2026: The transitional period for placing PFAS-containing foam in most portable fire extinguishers on the EU market ends. Certain controls on continued PFAS foam use, waste management and labelling also begin to apply.
- 23 April 2027: The extended period for placing PFAS-containing alcohol-resistant foam in portable extinguishers on the market ends.
- 23 October 2030: The general restriction on PFAS-containing firefighting foams takes effect, subject to derogations.
- 31 December 2030: The transitional period for using PFAS-containing firefighting foam in existing portable extinguishers ends.
- 23 October 2035: The special transition period ends for specified applications, including civilian ships with qualifying firefighting foams placed on board before 23 October 2025, subject to the regulation’s conditions.
What does this mean for commercial vessels?
Shipboard firefighting systems require careful assessment. Fixed foam installations cannot always be converted simply by exchanging the concentrate. Changes may affect system performance, compatibility, mixing equipment and approval requirements.
Importantly, the 2035 transition is not a blanket exemption for every vessel or every foam product. It covers specific uses and is conditional. Applicable flag-state requirements, certification, foam composition and the equipment’s original approval must also be considered.
PFOS and PFAS: an important distinction
PFOS is one substance within the wider PFAS family. A product declared PFOS-free is therefore not necessarily free of all PFAS. IMO/SOLAS requirements concerning PFOS-containing extinguishing media have their own compliance rules, including requirements effective from 1 January 2026. EU transition provisions do not remove obligations arising under other applicable legislation.
Five steps for shipowners and ship managers
- Identify existing foam: Compile an inventory of portable extinguishers, foam concentrates and fixed installations across the fleet.
- Verify documentation: Request manufacturer declarations addressing both PFOS and relevant PFAS content.
- Assess each deadline: Determine which transition provision applies to the vessel and equipment.
- Check replacement compatibility: Confirm suitable marine approvals and compatibility before selecting fluorine-free alternatives.
- Plan the transition: Coordinate replacements with maintenance, surveys and dry-docking, and arrange appropriate handling of contaminated foam and waste.
Explore MariTeam’s firefighting equipment
Explore our ECO foam fire extinguishers and our wider range of firefighting foam concentrates. Please note that products in the general fire foam category have different formulations; not all are necessarily fluorine-free or suitable for every installation. Confirm PFAS status, approvals and system compatibility for the specific product before ordering.
MariTeam supports the transition to fluorine-free fire safety
MariTeam supplies marine safety equipment and firefighting products to shipowners, ship managers and shipyards worldwide. We work with manufacturing partners to identify suitable equipment and product documentation for marine applications.
Reviewing the firefighting equipment on your vessels? Contact our team to discuss product availability, technical documentation and sourcing options for your fleet.
Contact MariTeam about PFAS-free firefighting equipment →
Official regulatory source
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 — EUR-Lex
This news article provides general regulatory information as of October 2026. Specific requirements depend on equipment, foam composition, vessel, flag state and applicable regulation. Consult the applicable legal text, manufacturer and competent authorities before modifying firefighting equipment.