Latest Zealand has taken a step to grow to be one in every of the primary countries to ban per- and polyfluoraolkyl substances, described as “ceaselessly chemicals,” in cosmetics products. PFAS don’t decompose easily, so are being forbidden by the country’s Environmental Protection Authority, or EPA, from Dec. 31, 2026.

PFAS might be present in cosmetics products comparable to nail polish, shaving cream, foundation, lipstick and mascara. They’re utilized in some formulas to assist smoothe skin and make products more durable, spreadable and water-resistant.

“We all know these chemicals don’t easily break down, they’ll construct up in our bodies and a few might be toxic at high levels,” said Shuan Presow, hazardous substances reassessments manager, on the EPA.

“International research suggests PFAS are only present in a small variety of products, but we take a precautionary approach to potential risk from PFAS,” he continued. “Banning these chemicals in cosmetics is an element of our ongoing response, which incorporates phasing out of all PFAS-firefighting foams and testing for background levels of PFAS within the Latest Zealand environment.”

The PFAS regulation is amongst updates made to Latest Zealand’s Cosmetic Products Group Standard.

“We’ve also strengthened the regulations, so non-hazardous cosmetic products that contain a hazardous ingredient at the moment are regulated,” said Presow. “This makes it easier for us to implement the foundations around banned and restricted ingredients that could be present in these products.”

In 2023, EPA publicly consulted on the rule changes and was given 20 submissions, of which 14 got here from the cosmetics industry.

“We are going to proceed to interact with industry to administer the transition before PFAS are banned and the opposite changes take effect,” he said.