New Zealand is set to become one of the first countries in the world to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics products, with a plan to prohibit these “forever chemicals” starting at the end of 2026.
PFAS can be found in cosmetics such as mascara, nail polish and shaving cream, where they are used for their spreadability and water resistance. But PFAS have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they can take hundreds of years to fully break down.
“We know these chemicals don’t easily break down, they can build up in our bodies, and some can be toxic at high levels,” Dr. Shaun Presow, Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager at New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority, said in a statement.
The ban is slated to take effect starting December 31, 2026. It is a revision to the country’s existing Cosmetic Products Group Standard.
According to PFAS Free, a project by the environmental charity group Fidra, some types of PFAS can take more than 1,000 years to break down. PFAS enter, spread and accumulate both in the environment and in human bodies, and there are growing studies on how PFAS may potential impact wildlife, ecosystems and human health. For instance, a study published in 2023 linked PFAS exposure to higher risks of some cancers, including ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. PFAS have also been found in human blood and breast milk.
A survey by the New Zealand EPA showed that no cosmetic manufacturers in New Zealand had detected any PFAS in their products, but about 90% of the cosmetics in the country are imported, The Guardian reported.
“International research suggests PFAS are only found in a small number of products, but we take a precautionary approach to potential risks from PFAS,” Dr. Presow said. “Banning these chemicals in cosmetics is part of our ongoing response, which includes phasing out all PFAS-firefighting foams and testing for background levels of PFAS in the New Zealand environment.”
In addition to banning PFAS in cosmetics, New Zealand has also updated the Cosmetic Products Group Standard with additional restricted ingredients and more rules on fragrance ingredients. Further, products that contain hazardous ingredients, even if the final product for sale is considered non-hazardous, must comply with the group standard rules.
“We’ve also strengthened the regulations so non-hazardous cosmetic products that contain a hazardous ingredient are now regulated,” Presow explained. “This makes it easier for us to enforce the rules around banned and restricted ingredients that may be found in these products.”
New Zealand has also passed a ban on PFAS in firefighting foam, which will take effect starting in December 2025.
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