The Fire Industry Association has published a July 2025 update on the guidance on firefighter PFA, which sets out the latest developments on UK and EU restrictions and regulations.
Meanwhile, the Environment, Food, Rural Affairs and Safety and Health Safety Administration has launched consultations on the UK-specific restrictions on PFAs for fire forms, which are expected to take shape after 2026.
The transition period is likely to follow the EU model, with up to 10 years for high-risk industrial applications, but the time frame for general firefighting is much shorter.
Hidden dangers of PFA in Firefighting Foams
Firefighter PFAs are dangerous because they don’t break down easily. This leads to long-term contamination of soil and water sources near training grounds, airports and fire stations.
PFAS exposure is associated with serious health issues, including specific cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, and reproductive problems.
In particular, firefighters are at increased risk due to handling and inhaling PFA-based foams. Contaminated spills can also enter drinking water systems that affect the surrounding communities.
Despite its effectiveness in controlling flammable liquid fires, the persistent environmental and biological effects of PFA have prompted a scrutiny of regulations and a shift towards safer alternatives.
Efforts are currently underway in the UK and the EU to phase out PFA-based forms in a global fashion in favor of non-toxic biodegradable options that provide both fire control capabilities and safety for the people and the planet.
The current state of UK and EU law
Currently, there is no legal ban on firefighter PFA in the UK, but photos are changing rapidly. In particular, the heritage regarding chemicals such as PFO, PFOA, and PFHX has evolved, all of which are already limited under pop if they are out of reach.
The overall regulation situation is also evolving across Europe, with new restrictions on PFHXA and a wider range of proposals targeting all PFAs in the fire service, from civil aviation to the use of municipal FRS.
These changes may not be directly applicable in the UK yet, but they certainly shape what comes.
As landscapes change, end users, manufacturers, and fire safety experts must prepare them for the phase-out of PFAS-based forms and the operational and disposal challenges this brings.
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