New Regulation Upcoming Ban on PFAS Chemicals

From 1 January 2026, the regulation of firefighting foams on ships will start to catch up with the global rejection of perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS). From that date, use of PFOS will be prohibited onboard new ships, with existing vessels needing to replace them by their first survey thereafter. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that may be found in Aqueous Film Forming Foam AFFF (class B firefighting foam) used in some fire suppression systems, including portable handheld fire extinguishers.  

While PFAS encompass a very large number of substances and the effects of most of these are unknown, PFAS (such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)) are widely recognized as harmful to humans and the environment. PFAS are often described as the “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature meaning they break down very slowly in the environment and so can pose long term risks.  

SpectrumLabs can guide you on the new regulations and undertake the testing of existing foam for PFAS/PFOS.